DHAKUAKHANA, April 2 � Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said the prospect of resolving the ULFA issue looks bright after his �positive� talks with the outfit�s leaders, reports PTI.
�I was happy to meet the ULFA leaders and the talks with them were positive. The future of resolving the issue looks bright,� Singh told an election meeting in Lakhimpur district. �ULFA ke saath batcheet achi rahi aur bhavishya ke liye acchi lag rahi hai, pichli samasya ko suljhaya ja sakta hai,� the Prime Minister told the rally as people came out in droves ignoring the 12-hour Assam bandh called by the Paresh Barua-led ULFA anti-talk faction to protest the PM�s visit.
�I believe there is enough flexibility in the Indian Constitution to fulfil the aspirations of different sections of the people and do justice to them,� he said.
Stating that the Congress government was ready to talk to all those who are prepared to leave the path of violence and negotiate, he congratulated the people for thwarting the attempt of forces attempting to destroy peace and harmony in the State.
�Development is possible only when peace prevails and both the Central and State Governments have taken several measures to bring peace and development to the State.�
The Centre and the State governments also believed in fulfilling the aspirations of the indigenous people through territorial and hill councils.
The Prime Minister also announced a Rs 250-crore development package for the Bodoland Territorial Council. �We want to help these councils by giving them the necessary power so that they can fulfil their duties towards their community in a responsible manner,� Singh said.
Our North Lakhimpur Correspondent adds: Campaigning for the local Congress candidate and Minister Bharat Narah, the Prime Minister said that his party had always worked for the poor. Singh told the crowd that the Congress government had brought great positive changes in the State in their last 10 years of its rule and promised further development in the days ahead.
The Prime Minister was accompanied by Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi who also campaigned for Bharat Narah. Lakhimpur MP, Ranee Narah was also present in the rally.
Our Nagaon Correspondent added: Harping on the same line, the Prime Minister, addressing another poll rally at the Juria playground under Rupahihat constituency of Nagaon district, said the Assam being his home State, he would work harder for the development of the State.
He criticised the main Opposition party AGP saying that during the rule of the regional party, there was no salary for the government employees, law-and-order situation was in total disarray and that there was no developmental activity in the State. He then praised Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi for turning around the economic condition of the State.
The Prime Minister also praised the thousand strong crowd for defying the bandh called by the anti-talk ULFA.
It may be noted here that speakers at the rally here criticised all the political parties except for AIUDF against which there was not a single word.
