Narendra Modi blames Congress for Assam Accord delay in Northeast rally

Prime minister Narendra Modi held the Congress responsible for delaying the implementation of Clause 6 of the Assam Accord. Addressing a rally in Moran, he said the NDA was taking steps to implement change inked after a six-year-long agitation in 1985.

Clause 6 of the Accord provides for constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards to protect the cultural, social, linguistic identity and heritage of the Assamese people.

Modi also touched up on the topic of infiltration. “Serious consideration is given to accord the scheduled tribe (ST) status to six communities, without affecting the benefits of existing tribes,” he said in the rally, which also kicks off his campaign in the Northeast.


Koch Rajbongshi, TaiAhom, Moran, Motok, Chutia and Adivasi have been demanding ST status.

Eyeing tea tribe votes, Modi without naming anyone said, “I thought they did not like one Chaiwala (tea maker) later I saw they do not like all chaiwalas and others associated with tea.”


“In last 70 years tea growers in Assam and West Bengal were denied of basic amenities. I can understand the pain of a chaiwala. For the first time, bank account of tea workers were opened, Rs 5,000 was deposited in the account besides free rice and 2 kg sugar has also been given.”

“Congress is in the habit of 'latkane bhatkane' (dilly-dallying) for projects.”

Urging the people to choose between a “strong government” and “maligned government”, Modi said Congress has made the identity of India suffer.

He said around Rs 14,000 crore has been invested in the oil sector of Assam.