By making triple talaq illegal, NDA gave freedom to Muslim women, says JP Nadda

GUWAHATI/ LAKHIMPUR: BJP president J. P. Nadda on Monday said that 125 Indian laws were not enforced in Jammu & Kashmir before the repeal of Article 370 and the NDA government accorded freedom to the Muslim women by declaring 'Triple Talaq' illegal.

Addressing an election rally at Jamugurihat Sootea in Sonitpur district, Nadda said that even though triple talaq was unacceptable in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan and many other Muslim countries, it was unfortunately active in India. "Before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, no previous government dared to repeal Article 370 and to enact a law against triple talaq," he said.

The BJP president also said that peace and prosperity has been established both in J&K and Assam. "BJP is working for Assam's peace and prosperity." Lambasting the Congress, he said that before 2016, during the rule of the Congress party in Assam, 2,250 people and 284 security personnel were killed by militants and people were living in a fear psychosis.

"But the NDA government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi signed a historic accord with the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) last year and after that 3,000 militants of four factions of the NDFB had surrendered and over 4,000 sophisticated rifles deposited to the government. Besides, 2,300 extremists were arrested," he said.

Announcing that Assam will become a flood-free State, Nadda said that a satellite survey is now underway to make detailed projects for the purpose.

"Rs 53, 000 crore was approved in this year's central budget for Assam," he said, adding that the BJP governments — both at the Centre and in the State — are working to protect the State's traditions and culture. "Besides the construction of India's longest (4.9 km) rail-cum-road Bogibeel Bridge in Assam on the mighty Brahmaputra River, many big bridges have been either constructed or are under construction."

The former Union Health Minister further said that the government had successfully tamed the COVID-19 pandemic in India with a population of 130 crore even as the many countries could not succeed to deal with the disease properly.

"Once India had just one COVID-sample testing laboratory. Now we have 2,500 testing labs with 12 lakh people who can be tested in a day. India is capable of producing over five lakh kits per day. India's mortality rate is the lowest and the recovery rate the highest in the world," he said.

The BJP president told the gathering that they had to decide whether they wanted the guarantee of roads, medical colleges or Congress' corruption.

LAKHIMPUR CORRESPONDENT ADDS: Addressing a mega election rally in support of BJP candidate Naba Kumar Doley, at the Normal School playground in Dhakuakhana within Lakhimpur district on Monday, BJP national president J.P. Nadda appealed to the masses to once again vote for the BJP to further carry forward development works, ensure welfare of the masses and also to establish peace across the State.

Nadda said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi — leading the government at the Centre, and Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal in Assam have endeavoured to bring the deprived sections of the society to the mainstream."

Highlighting the achievements of the BJP-led government in the State, Nadda asserted, "Land pattas have been given to 3,33,000 families. Moreover, people across the State have benefitted from the flagship schemes adopted by the BJP governments.

"Under the BJP-led government, Rs 53,000 crore was fixed for Assam in this year's Budget. Developmental activities are going on across the State with investment of Rs 8,000 crore for the development of railway connectivity, and Rs 35,000 crore for the construction of highways. Construction of the Bogibeel Bridge has been completed while construction work has started for the Dhubri-Phoolbari Bridge."

Referring to the Health sector, Nadda said, "AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Science) has been established in Guwahati. Rs 1,100 crore will be spent to complete the construction of this Institute. Besides, six more medical college and hospitals were established in the State."

On the perennial flood problem of the State, the BJP leader assured the masses that steps will be taken to permanently resolve the issue, adding that the measures will be initiated after satellite surveys. He further said, "To tackle the flood problem in the State, the Prime Minister has allotted packages which amount to four times more than before."

Referring to the national-level issues, the BJP national president said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has saved the nation from the blunder of Section 370 by revoking the controversial section incorporated in the Constitution of India.

"The issue of 'Ram Janmabhoomi' had been pending for years. The Congress Government kept it pending for its political benefits. Now, this long-pending issue has been resolved. The much awaited 'Ram Mandir' will be constructed in Ayodhya."

Earlier in the rally, Naba Kumar Doley delivered the welcome address.

Among the dignitaries who addressed the gathering were Assam BJP in-charge and party's vice president Bajayanta Jay Panda, BJP national general secretary Dilip Saikia, and Lakhimpur MP Pradan Baruah. During the same programme, the BJP president also released the party's election-campaign song in support of Naba Kumar Doley. The song has been rendered by artiste Mousam Gogoi.

During his daylong visit to Assam on Monday, Nadda addressed three public rallies. After reaching Lilabari Airport (in Assam) on Monday afternoon, Nadda addressed a public rally at MV Field, Dhakuakhana. From MV Field, he reached IB Field, Jamugurihat Sootea to address another rally. In the evening, he addressed the third rally at HS Field in Borbhagiya. Later in the evening, he held a meeting of party workers at the Sonitpur district party office near Tezpur Airport.

Elections to the 126-member Assam assembly will be held in three phases on March 27, April 1 and April 6.

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