Guwahati: Union Finance Minister Pranab
Mukherjee on Tuesday said that by returning the Congress to power
for the third consecutive term, people in Assam had voted for
"continuity and conciliation."
"It was verdict for continuity as people wanted
developmental works launched by the Congress in the last 10
years be carried forward," he told a press conference here
after attending the CLP meeting which elected Tarun Gogoi as
its leader.
Describing the recent Assembly polls in five states as
a "mini general election" Mukherjee said while the people had
voted for continuity in Assam, they opted for change in West
Bengal.
"The period of conciliation in Assam has started with
militant groups and our misguided brothers and sisters
revealing their desire to join the national mainstream," he
said.
"This (peace process) has been appreciated by the
people of Assam and it will taken forward."
Peace, development and stability were the three major
Congress planks in Assam, Mukherjee said and congratulated
Gogoi for his mature political decisions during the last 10
years which steered the party to power for the third time.
"On the cash management front, Assam has been one of
the very few states that has been the best. While there has
been no overdraft, there has been surplus," Mukherjee said.
Earlier, addressing the CLP meeting, Mukherjee said
the Congress` "spectacular victory" was a result of hard work
by all concerned.
"Critics had predicted we will get 50 seats and they
have been proved wrong," he said.
PTI
