GUWAHATI, April 7 � Meghalaya Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma today appealed to the voters of Assam to exercise their franchise in favour of the Congress to enable both the neighbouring States to act as a cohesive unit and address the common issues, including the contentious border row.
On the recurring border row, Dr Sangma said, �There have been claims and counter claims by both the States and we are giving a concerted effort to resolve the issue.�
Dr Sangma, who took over as the Meghalaya Chief Minister last year, also stressed the need to reverse the overall perception of North East in the �mainland�.
Dr Sangma who is here to campaign for the Congress party told media persons that NE should project itself as a unit and change the distorted perception of the people of the �mainland�.
�I am concerned about the welfare of Assam as the development and welfare of all the North Eastern States is interlinked,� the Meghalaya CM said, asserting that the Congress was the only party that can ensure peace and development of the region.
The Congress leader said, �We are grateful to the people of Assam for reposing faith in the Congress, because of which the party has been able to reverse the dipping fortunes of the State.�
�I want the people of Assam to vote for the Congress party to enable it to take charge for the third consecutive term,� he said.
Flaying the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for its corruption charges against the Congress, he pointed that the saffron party should refresh its memory as it was the same party whose chief Bangaru Laxman was caught red-handed while accepting bribe.
He, however, opined that that the much-talked-about issue of corruption could be handled with people�s participation.
�Forces like BJP are a threat to the unity and integrity of the nation. They cause polarization of people on lines of religion and I want the voters of Assam give a befitting reply to them,� Dr Sangma said.
The two-day-long campaign of Dr Sangma in the State ended today.
