New Delhi: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday criticised the Modi government over the flood crisis in the northeastern states, expressing hope that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would utilise the PM CARES Fund, which he alleged holds crores without any audit.
Referring to Assam, Kharge recalled Modi's 2016 pledge to make the state flood-free, asserting that the BJP's double-engine government has failed to deliver on that promise.
In a post on X, he noted that the northeast is reeling under devastating floods, landslides and heavy rains.
Assam, Arunachal, Manipur, Sikkim and Meghalaya are among the worst affected states, where many lives have been lost and lakhs of people have been affected, he observed.
Congress leaders and workers must do everything to provide assistance to the people, he said.
"In 2016, BJP had promised to make a 'Flood-Free' Assam. In 2022, Home Minister Amit Shah repeated this promise.
"Looking at the visuals from the so-called 'SMART CITY' Guwahati, one is reminded how Modi ji and his double engine governments have betrayed Assam," Kharge said in his post.
"Diversion, Distraction and Digression from basic developmental issues to emotive and polarising subjects has been the hallmark of BJP's politics," the Congress chief said.
He said the Modi government must release more funds to all the states of the northeast, especially Assam, for flood preparedness.
"Perhaps Modi ji could open the floodgates of the PM CARES Fund, crores of which lie, without a public audit," Kharge said while taking a swipe at the PM.
Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi said the news of loss of life due to heavy rains in the northeastern states, especially Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, is extremely sad.
"Due to this tragedy, the situation in Guwahati is extremely worrying - life has been completely disrupted. I appeal to the Central and State governments to speed up relief and rescue operations and provide immediate assistance to everyone in need," he said.
Gandhi urged all Congress leaders and workers to actively support relief efforts amid the worsening flood crisis in northeastern states. Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh have been severely impacted by heavy rainfall, with Assam alone reporting ten fatalities and over four lakh affected across 20 districts.
With seven major rivers overflowing and persistent rains expected, those in low-lying and riverbank areas face increasing risks. Authorities remain on high alert as the situation continues to deteriorate.
(inputs from PTI)