News Updates: 'Assam among fastest developing states, its progress part of country's growth story,' says PM Modi in Guwahati

“Congress pushed Assam into violence. Even Assam had many challenges after independence. Instead of solving them, Congress used them for its own political benefits...BJP government is cleansing the sins of Congress, connecting hearts and places in Assam," says PM Modi at a tribal dance programme in Guwahati. He said Assam is among the fastest developing states, and its progress is part of the country's growth story.

PM Modi mounted an offensive at the Congress in Assam, saying the party never accepted the people in the state and it preferred illegal migrants for votebank politics. "There are some people who get bothered when we show respect for Assam’s culture and traditions. You all know who does not like Assam’s honour—the answer is one: the Congress party. It was the Congress party that opposed the Bharat Ratna for Bhupen Hazarika. A semiconductor unit in the state was opposed by a Congress chief’s son and Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge. Even today, when I wear something linked to Assam’s traditions, the Congress party mocks the state," he said.

Addressing a rally in Malda on Friday, PM Modi alleged that although the Centre had sent flood relief funds to Bengal 40 times, the benefits did not reach those affected. Promising development, he said a BJP government would take Malda’s mango economy to new heights by strengthening cold storage and food processing infrastructure. Modi further cited the BJP’s mayoral win in Thiruvananthapuram as evidence of the party’s rising support even in regions once considered unwinnable.

Addressing a rally in Malda on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was confident that West Bengal would give the BJP an overwhelming mandate in the upcoming Assembly elections. He alleged that the Trinamool Congress’ “hooliganism and threat politics” would soon come to an end. Calling infiltration Bengal’s biggest challenge, Modi claimed that demographic changes caused by infiltration had led to riots in Malda, Murshidabad and other parts of the state, and accused the TMC of never taking steps to address the issue. He assured refugees such as the Matuas, who took shelter in India due to religious persecution, that they need not worry.

"People of India, especially Gen Z, have reposed faith in the BJP’s development model. I congratulate the people of Bengal on receiving the country’s first Vande Bharat sleeper train, as well as four new Amrit Bharat trains. I am doing my best to ensure all homeless people of West Bengal get pucca houses, access to clean drinking water," said PM at Malda rally.

"Paltano darkar, chai BJP sarkar (Need to change, want BJP government)," PM Modi coins a slogan for West Bengal state polls.

"There was a time when we watched videos and pictures of foreign trains and wondered if India could ever have such facilities. Today, we are living that reality. Now, foreigners make videos of Indian Railways and tell the world about the revolution taking place here. Vande Bharat is Made in India and will connect the land of Maa Kali to Maa Kamakhya. Indian Railways is going through a major phase of modernisation," said PM Modi in Malda.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched several rail and road infrastructure projects worth over Rs 3,250 crore, aimed at strengthening connectivity and accelerating development in West Bengal and the North-East.

"India is not only modernising transport facilities but also becoming self-reliant. In the coming days, Vande Bharat sleeper trains will run across the country," says PM Modi in Bengal's Malda.

Addressing a public meeting after flagging off the first Vande Bharat sleeper train in Malda, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “Today, India is manufacturing more locomotives than America and Europe. We are exporting passenger and metro train coaches to many countries. This strengthens our economy and generates employment. Connecting India is our priority, and reducing distance is our mission.”

After flagging off the first Vande Bharat sleeper train, PM Narendra Modi said, "Today, the campaign to accelerate West Bengal's progress has gained further momentum from Malda. A short while ago, the foundation stones were laid, and several development projects for West Bengal were inaugurated. New rail services have been launched for West Bengal. These projects will make travel easier for the people here and also facilitate business..."

Bengal News Live: PM Modi flags off India's first Vande Bharat sleeper train between Howrah and Guwahati

Ahead of the Assembly elections in the state, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday arrived in West Bengal and flagged off India’s first Vande Bharat sleeper train between Howrah and Guwahati (Kamakhya) at Malda Town Railway Station. He also flagged off four new Amrit Bharat trains and two Express trains for different parts of the country, virtually from Malda.

AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Saturday announced the first phase of the party's election promises. "Women’s Welfare (Kulavilakku Scheme) Under the Kulavilakku Scheme, a monthly financial assistance of Rs 2,000 will be provided to all ration card–holding families. This amount will be credited directly to the bank account of the woman head of the family," Palaniswami announced.

A free bus travel scheme will be implemented for men travelling on city buses. The existing free bus travel scheme for women on city buses will continue without interruption, as per the party.

Accompanied by the families of victims of water contamination in Bhagirathpura, Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi says, "Those who got this done... Someone in the government must be responsible for having this done. The government should take responsibility... This happened because of the government's negligence."

Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, accompanied by Madhya Pradesh Congress President Jitendra (Jitu) Patwari, leaves from the Bombay Hospital after meeting the victims of water contamination and their families.

Punjabi singer Dilnoor has filed a complaint with the SSP Mohali after receiving threat call. According to his complaint, the caller identified himself as Arju Bishnoi and told Dilnoor to inform his friend, Bollywood and Punjabi singer B Praak, to pay a ransom of Rs 10 crore, failing which there would be dire consequences within a week. According to Dilnoor's complaint, he received two missed calls from a foreign number on January 5th, which he did not answer. On January 6th, he received another call from a different foreign number. When Dilnoor answered the call and the conversation seemed suspicious, he hung up. Immediately afterwards, he received a voice message containing the ransom threat. In the audio message, the caller allegedly stated that Rs 10 crore must be paid within a week, otherwise B Praak would face serious harm. The police have launched an investigation into the matter.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit West Bengal and Assam on Saturday and Sunday. At around 12:45 pm, the Prime Minister will flag off India's first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train between Howrah and Guwahati (Kamakhya) at Malda Town Railway Station.