In Assam, Advani tears into Congress

KHERONI: BJP's prime ministerial candidate LK Advani on Wednesday launched his party's campaign in Assam by accusing Congress of turning a blind
eye to Bangladeshi infiltration into the state.

"I read the Congress manifesto carefully. I didn't find a word about solving the problem of illegal migration," Advani said at a meeting at Kheroni village in Karbi Anglong district. "During the 1962 Sino-Indian war, the Congress government left Assam alone to defend itself from the Chinese aggressors. Today also, Congress doesn't care for it," he added. Describing infiltration from Bangladesh as Assam's "main problem," the BJP's prime ministerial candidate said, "No country can tolerate such a menace... India
is not a dharmashala where people without passports and valid documents can come and settle." He termed the Assam agitation against Bangladeshi infiltration as the country's "biggest people's movement after Independence."

Despite SC's directives to both the Centre and the state government, nothing has been done to stop infiltration, Advani said. "Chief minister Tarun Gogoi has to give an answer," he added while referring to a Supreme Court order that has described continuing infiltration as a threat to the nation. Advani vowed to deal terrorism and subversive forces with a strong hand if his party is voted to power.