‘No PM Will Say…’: Assam CM Himanta Sarma Takes A Dig At Nehru As Counters Congress On Moran ELF

Last Updated:February 15, 2026, 14:53 IST

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma: "No PM will say my heart goes for Assam. Instead the new line will be that we will defeat enemies from the soil of Assam."

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said that the newly inaugurated Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) on the Moran Bypass in Assam’s Dibrugarh will provide strategic security to India’s Northeast and strengthen the region’s defence preparedness, even as he slammed the opposition for mocking the project.

The Chief Minister invoked former Prime Minister, the late Jawaharlal Nehru, who said “my heart goes out to the people of Assam" in 1962 when China had attacked Arunachal and advanced to Tezpur town in Assam. The opposition, including Assam Congress President Gaurav Gogoi and Akhil Gogoi, have questioned the ELF project, terming that it has nothing to do with the development of Assam.

“We don’t want war but assets are for security which will mainly benefit the public. We have written for more ELFs, so that during flood, C-130 can land for relief. All the assets are for dual uses. Internal enemies are comparing this to high price of snacks and tea at the airport and thus discouraging the developments. The chicken neck blackmailing days are over and no PM will say my heart goes for Assam. Instead the new line will be “Will defeat enemies from the soils of Assam," said the Assam CM.

About the ELF

The ELF is a first-of-its-kind in Northeast India and was designed and constructed in coordination with the Indian Air Force to support the landing and takeoff of military and civilian aircraft during emergencies. It will serve as a critical asset for emergency response, enabling quick deployment of rescue and relief operations during natural disasters or strategic requirements in the Northeast.

Envisioned as dual-use infrastructure, the ELF is capable of handling fighter aircraft up to 40 tonnes and transport aircraft up to 74 tonnes maximum take-off weight.

Countering Opposition

BJP MLA Manab Deka said, “Akhil Gogoi, who is involved in the farmers’ movement, does not know how defence strategy works…How can Gaurav Gogoi, who had worked in conflict zones like Gaza, Palestine during his service in NGO, not understand this?"

The Chief Minister also highlighted the importance of the underwater rail-cum-road twin tube tunnel connecting Gohpur and Numaligarh, an Rs 18,500-crore project that got a cabinet approval on Saturday while PM was in Assam. The CM said the tunnel project under Brahmaputra will be India’s first Road and Rail tunnel and World’s 2nd and its foundation stone will be soon laid by the Prime Minister himself. “If any situation arises where our bridges over Brahmaputra get bombed, this project will be still safe and our connectivity will remain intact," said the CM.

News india ‘No PM Will Say…’: Assam CM Himanta Sarma Takes A Dig At Nehru As Counters Congress On Moran ELF

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