Addressing the Bharatiya Janata Party's first election rally in Assam at Kheroni, about 210 kiometres from capital Guwahati, the National Democratic Alliance's prime ministerial candidate L K Advani on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on the Congress for failing to address the burning problem of illegal infiltration from Bangladesh, and pledged to tackle the same effectively if the NDA came back to power.
Addressing the well-attended rally in the Karbi Anglong hill district, the BJP veteran also promised to a find solution to the insurgency problem in the northeast, especially in Assam, through a dialogue process with the outfits which are wiling to talk.
"It is astonishing that the Congress poll manifesto has no mention about the illegal infiltration from Bangladesh while the unabated migration has led to rise in criminal activities, and unemployment all over the country, especially in Assam and other parts of the northeast," Advani said.
"I would like to remind the Congress that its government
was rapped by the Supreme Court for failing to address the problem of illegal migration that was described by the court nothing less than external aggression," Advani said, adding that the migration of people with any valid documents from Bangladesh is a unique problem faced by the country.
"Insurgency can't be solved only through confrontation and use of force. We should talk to those groups that are willing to talk. The previous NDA government had initiated talks with the Naga rebel groups and Bodo militants in the northeast and the result is now there for all to see," Advani said.
Promising an effective and strong government at the Centre which, he said, is a must for keeping the country integrated, Advani said, if voted to power, the NDA would aspire to complete all unfinished works of the previous NDA regime led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
The BJP leaders addressed three election rallies in Assam on Wednesday along with the ally Asom Gana Parishad. The other two rallies were held at Karimganj and Silchar in south Assam.