Kharge questions Amit Shah over ‘flood-free Assam’ promise as floods devastate state

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday took aim at Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the recurring floods in Assam, accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of failing to deliver on its pledge to make the state “flood-free”.

In a post on social media platform X, Kharge recalled that the BJP’s 2016 Assam Vision Document had promised a permanent solution to the state’s recurring floods. He also cited Shah’s assurance during the 2021 Assam Assembly election campaign that Assam would be made flood-free within five years.

“Ten years of BJP rule have now passed. What happened to those solemn promises? Why has Assam’s so-called ‘double-engine government’ failed to build a comprehensive flood-control, erosion-management and rehabilitation system?” Kharge asked.

Expressing deep distress over the devastation caused by the floods, Kharge said at least 68 people had lost their lives while almost 10 lakh people across 25 districts had been affected. He conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families and expressed anguish over people losing their homes, livelihoods, crops and livestock.

The Congress president urged both the Union and Assam governments to mobilise every available resource for rescue, relief and rehabilitation. He demanded that substantial assistance be released immediately from the PM-CARES Fund for flood-affected families and sought adequate compensation for every life lost and for damage to homes, livelihoods, crops and livestock.

Arguing that Assam requires a permanent solution rather than annual relief measures, Kharge called for a scientifically designed flood-management strategy. This, he said, should encompass modern early-warning systems, stronger and regularly maintained embankments, wetland restoration, accountable river-basin management, climate-resilient infrastructure and dignified rehabilitation for displaced families.

Assam, situated in the floodplains of the Brahmaputra and Barak rivers, experiences annual flooding that often leads to loss of life and property. The issue has been a recurring political flashpoint in the region.