GUWAHATI, March 26 � The Congress party has exuded confidence in reclaiming power at Dispur for the third consecutive term on the main issue of �permanent peace and development� even though it continued to draw �secret killings� as one of the poll planks against main opposition the Asom Gana Parishad(AGP) in the ensuing Assembly elections.
Releasing the party manifesto at Rajiv Bhawan today, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said, �Peace and development is what we had assured in the previous two terms and succeeded in achieving to a satisfactory level. This time also, like previous years, we have identified key areas and work towards socio-economic development of the common man.�
The Congress manifesto has promised an overhaul of the entire State machinery, especially in key sectors like education, health, employment, agriculture drinking water and sanitation, besides others. Formation of Rehabilitation Authority for Erosion-Affected, State-Level Rural Development Authority, councils for teachers, students and youths also featured in the poll manifesto.
However, some of the highlights of the manifesto were assurance of 30 per cent Government job reservation for candidates from rural areas and the target to achieve 10 per cent Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) growth rate.
The manifesto also assured that four new services will be created to increase the efficiency of the administration, which would include Assam Rural Service, Assam Economic Service, Assam Revenue Service and the Assam Information Service.
Apart from these, the manifesto also stated that apart from the Chief Vigilance Commissioner, additional vigilance commissioners would be appointed to strengthen the vigilance machinery against corruption. Four zonal vigilance commissioners will also be appointed, the manifesto stated.
�We basically would aim to minimize disparity in the society through inclusive growth,� Gogoi said, adding, �Creation of massive employment opportunities through skill development and encouragement to small and medium industries would be our priority.�
Gogoi, when asked, further reiterated that the Congress party would emerge as the single largest party though it will continue to have an understanding with the Hagrama-led BPF.
On whether the party is open to post-poll alliance with AIUDF, Gogoi, said, �We have not spoken to anyone regarding post poll alliance and there is nothing in our minds at the moment.�
He said that if Congress party comes to power for the third time it would expedite the peace process and try to bring ULFA �C-in-C� Paresh Baruah to the negotiation table, though action would be taken against those who would resort to violence.
Gogoi also took the opportunity to flay the BJP and AGP for the gross violation of human rights by resorting to inhuman killing of people during their tenure.
The manifesto was released in the presence of All India Congress Committee general secretary and election in-charge for Assam Digvijay Singh and Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Bhubeneswar Kalita.
