Congress-ruled Assam readies publicity strategy highlighting its accomplishments to counter Narendra Modi

GUWAHATI: With BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi launching scathing attack on congress ruled Assam, the state government will take to publicity blitzkrieg highlighting the accomplishments of the Assam.

Congress Vice president, Rahul Gandhi has changed his plans and will lead the congress attack during his two day visit to the state. Initially Rahul had planned for a visit on February 25, now he has extended his visit in the state by a day.

Rahul will be engaged in party’s road show in Tezpur, Nagoan and while interact with council members in Diphu on February 25. Next day Rahul will address a party’s rally in Guwahati.

The government has formed a panel of senior ministers to chalk out massive publicity drive following Modi’s rally in Guwahati recently which garnered unprecedented footfalls, not seen in the political rallies in the state since 1980’s.

Modi while speaking from close vicinity of Assam chief minister, Tarun Gogoi’s official residence in the 51 minute speech attacked the development model of Assam and termed Assam as one of the poorest states in the country despite having all resources at its disposal.

Gogoi has constituted a panel which will highlight state government’s achievements since 2001. The publicity drive will draw a comparison of projects and funds Assam got during the two terms of UPA and NDA government.

Assam agriculture minister, Nilamoni Sen Deka told ET, “The idea is to make reach out to people. We have done work and we want to highlight those using different media.”

A senior leader added, “The focus will be rural areas. Upper Assam and Lower Assam areas will be a focus as these are areas which have seen some kind of erosion in congress support base in recent times.”

Modi is slated to address another rally in Silchar in Barak valley on February 22.Congress is making all efforts to make Rahul's rally a grand show and pull more crowds than the Modi’s rally.