File Photo: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh. (Press Trust of India)
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today said frequent visits by Union ministers to the state and North-East are only bringing "big promises".
"The central ministers are visiting Assam and other North- East states very frequently. They are making big promises. But we are not getting anything on practice," Mr Gogoi told reporters.
As most of the North Eastern states are having non-BJP governments, the NDA-led Centre is trying to capture power in the region, he said.
Asked if the visits are meaningless, Mr Gogoi said, "I will not term it meaningless. If I get money, it will be meaningful."
Giving examples, the Chief Minister said Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, who visited North East last week, announced and took credit of only those projects which were sanctioned by the previous UPA government.
"Gadkari also said he created toll gates in Maharashtra and earned revenue for development. This is market economy. This is possible in Maharashtra, Gujarat or Delhi, but not in Assam or North East. We are poor state," he added.
Mr Gogoi said there are two toll gates on National Highways in Assam, of which one is already closed and another will be shut after the lease with the current operator ends in August.
"The Railway Minister also came and made big promises. What happened? Nothing has started on ground," he added.
Mr Gogoi accused the Centre of promoting big corporates by making schemes for their profit.
He slammed Mr Gadkari for his proposal that state government should acquire land for development of road projects in the state by the Central agencies.
"He (Gadkari) asked me to pay for acquisition and then they will develop roads. Where will I get the money from? How is it possible?" Mr Gogoi asked.