Guwahati : Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday said Assam has undergone a significant transformation over the years, citing improvements in security, infrastructure, and emerging industrial opportunities, including its potential as a semiconductor hub.

Speaking during his visit to the state, Chouhan recalled earlier parliamentary committee visits when several areas in Assam were difficult to access due to security concerns. He said the “atmosphere of fear” that once prevailed has largely receded, indicating what he described as a broader shift in the state’s overall situation.

Highlighting infrastructure growth, the Union Minister noted that Assam has witnessed rapid advancements in connectivity in recent years. He added that the state’s emergence as a prospective semiconductor hub reflects a new phase of economic and technological development.

Chouhan also launched a political attack on the Indian National Congress, alleging that past governance decisions had adversely impacted Assam. Referring to the period around Partition, he claimed that there had been a proposal to include Assam in Pakistan, which was averted due to the intervention of the state’s first Chief Minister, Gopinath Bordoloi.

He further criticised former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, alleging that Assam’s concerns were not adequately addressed during that time. The Union Minister also raised the issue of illegal infiltration, stating that it has contributed to insecurity and posed challenges to the state’s identity and social fabric, as political rhetoric continues to sharpen ahead of the elections.