Assam Assembly elections | Toolkit used to defame Assam tea: Narendra Modi
He said a toolkit recently sought to defame Assam tea, famous across the world, and Yoga, the legacy of our ancient saints, as part of a “conspiracy”.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday used the ‘toolkit issue’ to attack the Congress for “conspiring” with those trying to destroy the reputation of Assam tea.
Also read: Tolerance deficit: On ‘toolkit conspiracy’ case
The toolkit is a digital document on how to amplify the causes of a protest. On February 4, Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg had tweeted a toolkit related to the farmers’ protest in India.
“You must have heard about toolkit in recent times. A conspiracy was hatched to defame Assam tea and yoga, gifted by the sages, worldwide. The conspirators want the Assam tea gardens to suffer huge losses,” the Prime Minister told a crowd at a rally in poll-bound Assam’s Chabua.
The British had set up one of the first organised tea plantation at Chabua, an Assembly constituency named after a tea estate. Tea plantations dot the constituency.
“Congress, which ruled the country for 50-55 years, is openly supporting the conspirators. How does it dare seek votes in Assam? Can we forgive the party?” ‘Mr. Modi asked the crowd.
“There is tea in the name Chabua. We all know how the tea of Chabua is spreading its aroma worldwide… Who can understand the problems of tea workers better than a chaiwala?” Mr. Modi said.
The Prime Minister also advised the crowd against believing Congress.
“Once the biggest party of the country, Congress is constantly getting squeezed. There is no respect for talent in it today. What matters the most for Congress is the lust for power. It can take the help of anyone and give support to anyone for power. To them it does not matter if lies are needed to be told for it. With false promises, he has come to Assam on a tour. Be wary of him,” he said, referring to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi who concluded his two-day visit to the State on Saturday.
Mr Modi also claimed that Assam constantly required the BJP and the NDA for the maintenance of peace and stability.
“From land to art, Assam has huge potential for progress. We have to be vocal for local and work constantly to take Assam to greater heights. Only the double engines of Central and Assam governments can do this work,” he said.