Assam polls 2016: We are for rebuilding the state, says BJP-AGP alliance

Guwahati: Asserting that the BJP-AGP pre-poll alliance is for rebuilding Assam and for protection of indigenous people of the state, the two parties today accused Congress of indulging in a negative campaign.

"We are for rebuilding Assam and that's why we've come together. We'll form the government and ensure time-bound completion of National Register of Citizens," AGP spokesperson Dilip Patgiri said at a joint press meet with BJP here.

The alliance will also ensure protection of the indigenous people as per Clause 6 of the Assam Accord, he said.

"Our poll campaign is positive but the Congress is targeting our leaders by putting up tasteless advertisement bill boards," Patgiri alleged.

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, he said, was "in the last phase of his political career which will end on May 19 when the Assembly poll results would be declared".

"The Congress state unit president Anjan Dutta has also abandoned him (Gogoi) and waiting to stab him for his own political gain," he said.

The AGP leader said nothing had been done to tackle the flood problem in Assam despite the UPA government at the Centre announcing in 2005 it would be treated as a national problem.

Asked how the regional party would reconcile to the BJP's efforts for rehabilitation of Hindu Bangladeshi immigrants in India, Patgiri said, "We (AGP) have always opposed it and we will take up the issue as we are bound by the Assam Accord."

BJP spokesman Mominul Awal alleged that during the past 15 years there was only "misrule, lawlessness, and corruption" with the Gogoi-led Congress government failing to deliver clean governance.

"People now want the situation to change and they will stand united against Congress which is out to destroy the Assamese society for their narrow political gains," Awal said.

He charged AIUDF president Badruddin Ajmal with "using the minority community as a business tool".

"He knows nothing about Assam as he is from (erstwhile) East Bengal. If Congress returns to power then Badruddin will be made the deputy chief minister," Awal added.