Will seal Indo-Bangla border to stop infiltration: Arun Jaitley

Guwahati: Will completely seal the Indo-Bangla border, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said in Guwahati today, raising the poll rhetoric to attack Opposition Congress’ ‘inability to stop infiltration’ as it created a huge vote bank for the party.

"Congress tried to destroy and change the demography of the state by encouraging infiltration. Congress has been doing it for many decades and has taken no action," said Arun Jaitley told a public rally in Guwahati on Friday.

Asserting the party would storm into power in Assam, Jaitley promised that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would completely seal off the Indo-Bangla border.

"Being a border state and a pivotal northeast state, this vision document aims at providing security and it strongly emphasises on that," said Jaitley.

BJP's vision document, which was released today, also assured the people that a law would be enacted to "deal sternly" with industries, businesses, small and medium enterprises or any other agencies employing infiltrators.

Speaking at a public rally on Friday, Jaitley said, "A failed government is trying to find excuses where none exists. There is a desire for change which is sweeping the state. People of Assam are tired of slogans and they want development. The youth here crave for growth. The core strength of our alliance is the youth here and the youth is leading that campaign for a change.”

Referring to Congress' allegation of fund cut to the state by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, Jaitley said, "Assam will get 148 per cent more in 2016-2020 compared to 2011-2015 due to higher tax devaluation of 42 per cent as against 32 per cent earlier."

Assam, he said, will get Rs 1,43,239 crore as tax devaluation as recommended by the 14th Finance Commission as against Rs 57,854 crore during 13th Finance Commission.

Expressing confidence over the newly-formed Asom Gana Parishad-BJP alliance, he added that the width and the geographical spread of the coalition would play a crucial role in achieving victory in the state polls.

"We are fighting the polls under the leadership of Sarbananda Sonowal and there is certain freshness to his leadership. We have a galaxy of leaders compared to the Congress and all these factors will contribute in giving us a landslide victory," Jaitley said.

Earlier, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi released the Congress poll manifesto and said that one member of each family in Assam would be provided jobs if the grand old party returns to power in the state.

The manifesto also promised to classify families as 'poor' whose annual income is less than Rs 2.5 lakh and give benefits accordingly.

Assam will have two-phased polling for the 126 Assembly seats. The first phase will be held on April 4 and the second on April 11.