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Mahanta accuses Congress of taking aid from ex-ULFA militants

Asom Gana Parishad president and Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta today accused the Congress of taking the help of surrendered ULFA militants in Upper Assam to garner votes during the elections.

''The AGP has not used any ULFA support for electoral gains,'' he told reporters at a press conference.

On his party's debacle in the recent elections, he said it was because of the electronic media that the polarisation took place in Assam as well. ''Whenever you switch on the television it is always the BJP and Congress,'' he claimed. Mahanta, however, accepted the verdict saying, ''We have accepted the verdict of the people and have resolved to carry out serious introspection and rectify the mistakes that have been committed without any intention.''

Stating that regionalism is the only path for preservation and development of the identity of the indigenous people of Assam, he stressed, "The AGP advocates the strong philosophy of regionalism, not that of opportunistic politics. It is noteworthy to mention that even the new regime in Delhi is talking about stability and development with support of a number of regional parties.''

Mahanta said his party was opposed to all forms of killings and violence. ''It is for a peaceful atmosphere that the AGP-led government has been relentlessly and uncompromisingly striving. At the same time, the government has been demanding from the Centre a long-lasting peaceful political solution to the insurgency problem,'' he said.

UNI

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