BJP Accused of Abandoning Assam as Death Toll and Displacement Mount from Severe Floods

The Toll of Recurring Devastation

The current flood crisis in Assam has reached a tipping point, resulting in at least 68 fatalities and impacting approximately 10 lakh residents across 25 districts. Beyond the human tragedy, the floods have razed homes, decimated livelihoods, and ruined vast tracts of agricultural land. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge expressed profound grief over these losses, offering condolences to the families of the deceased while highlighting the scale of the destruction to livestock and infrastructure.

The Failure of the Double-Engine Governance

The opposition has specifically called out Union Home Minister Amit Shah for unfulfilled commitments. During the 2021 Assembly election campaign, Shah stated that the state would be free of floods within five years. However, this is not a new claim; the BJP 2016 Assam Vision Document explicitly highlighted a permanent remedy for the annual deluges. Kharge questioned why, after a decade of BJP leadership in the state, the promised comprehensive systems for flood control and erosion management have not materialized. He characterized the administration's performance as a failure to build a robust rehabilitation network despite the advantages of a double-engine government.

Urgent Demands for Financial and Scientific Reform

Kharge is advocating for an immediate shift from temporary relief to a long-term scientific strategy. His proposed roadmap for the state includes:

• The immediate release of significant relief funds from the PM-CARES initiative for affected families.
• Development of a river-basin management plan with increased accountability.
• Implementation of modern early-warning systems and restoration of natural wetlands.
• Construction of climate-resilient infrastructure and reinforced embankments.
• Adequate financial compensation for the loss of lives, crops, and property.

The Congress leader called on the Union and Assam governments to deploy all available resources for rescue operations. He also instructed his party members to assist in the ongoing relief efforts to support those displaced by the waters.

Source: The Hindu — Home