Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jun 2: As northeastern India battles one of its worst flood spells in recent times, the Congress party has come down heavily on the central government for what it calls “neglect” of the region's dire situation. Party president Mallikarjun Kharge has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to immediately release funds from the PM CARES Fund to assist states grappling with loss and displacement due to floods.
In a strongly worded post on X, Kharge said lakhs of people across Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Sikkim, and Meghalaya are suffering, with lives lost and livelihoods upended due to continuous rainfall, landslides, and overflowing rivers.
“In 2016, the BJP promised to make Assam flood-free. In 2022, the Home Minister echoed that promise. Today, Guwahati—a ‘Smart City’—is submerged. This is not just a natural calamity but a failure of planning and political will,” Kharge wrote.
He added that the Centre must stop diverting attention from developmental issues and instead focus on providing real support to flood-hit regions. “The PM CARES Fund reportedly has crores lying unused. Why not use it now, when lakhs are in desperate need?” he questioned.
Kharge also called on Congress workers across the northeast to assist affected communities and support local relief efforts.
Echoing the concern, Rahul Gandhi described the situation as “extremely distressing,” especially in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. “The images and reports from Guwahati are heartbreaking. I urge both central and state governments to act swiftly and provide immediate aid. Relief and rescue must be a top priority,” he said.
Gandhi too encouraged party volunteers to step in and offer help to those displaced.
As per the latest updates, over 4 lakh people in more than 20 districts of Assam alone have been affected, with 10 lives lost so far. Multiple rivers are in spate, and meteorologists warn that further rainfall may worsen the situation in vulnerable, low-lying areas.
Rescue teams are on alert, but local authorities continue to appeal for more resources to meet the rising needs on the ground.