Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has criticized past political leadership, stating that it stagnated Assam’s development trajectory. Speaking at the 10th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog, Sarma emphasized that Assam is no longer a “prisoner of history” under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
Sarma’s Criticism of Past Leadership
Sarma highlighted that Assam was once a thriving trade hub, with railway connectivity to Chittagong and Brahmaputra waterways linking Assam to global markets. However, he argued that Partition severed these trade routes, leaving Assam dependent on the Siliguri Chicken Neck corridor.
He blamed Jawaharlal Nehru’s tacit acceptance of the Chittagong Hill Tracts being awarded to East Pakistan, despite appeals from local leaders. Similarly, he stated that Indira Gandhi missed an opportunity during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War to negotiate a broader and more secure geographical corridor for the Northeast.
Modi Government’s Development Initiatives
Sarma praised the Modi government’s efforts to revive Assam’s economy, stating that the state is reclaiming its role as a gateway to Southeast Asia through:
- Reviving inland waterways to restore lost trade routes.
- Developing critical railway infrastructure for better connectivity.
- Implementing dedicated transport and logistics corridors to boost economic growth.
Future Outlook for Assam
Sarma stressed that bold leadership and strategic planning are essential to unlock Assam’s full potential. He called for freight subsidies, long-haul incentives for industries, and improved infrastructure to position Assam as a dynamic economic frontier.
