Union Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita on Sunday, 25 May said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government in Assam is firmly focused on development and governance, and has no interest in responding to opposition rhetoric. Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Margherita said this position has been consistent — even through the run-up to the recent Assembly elections.

Alliance Strength and Legislative Focus

Margherita stated that the ruling alliance in Assam currently commands the support of more than 100 MLAs. He said alliance legislators are actively engaged in developing new ideas and initiatives aimed at the welfare and progress of their respective constituencies. The minister framed this as evidence of a government in working mode rather than one distracted by political point-scoring.

Sarma Government's Development Agenda

The Union Minister asserted that under the leadership of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the state government is committed to accelerating developmental activities across multiple sectors. Margherita quoted himself as saying: 'We are busy discussing how the government can further expedite development-related works. Our focus is entirely on issues such as infrastructure development, education, language, culture and the overall progress of Assam.' He added that the BJP and its allies are working to build a 'progressive Assam' in line with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

BJP's Critique of the Congress

Commenting on the opposition, Margherita claimed that the Indian National Congress (Congress) is still grappling with confusion over its political positioning and electoral strategy following what he described as a debacle in the recently concluded Assembly polls. He alleged that the Congress fears its political identity will once again be associated with what he called 'appeasement politics' centred around a particular minority community. According to Margherita, attempts by opposition leaders to project a different image at this stage would not alter public perception.

BJP's Stance on Political Competition

Margherita also said the BJP views political competition as a natural part of the democratic process and has no intention of engaging in personal attacks against opposition leaders. 'The people of Assam expect a progressive and development-oriented government, and that is precisely what we are working towards,' he said. The remarks signal a deliberate strategy of incumbency confidence ahead of what is expected to be a competitive political cycle in the northeast.