Asom CM denounces Sudarshan's demand for minority rolls

Guwahati, Dec 12 (UNI) Asom Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today denounced RSS chief K Sudarshan's demand for a separate electoral roll for the Muslims in the state.

Addressing a press meet here, Mr Gogoi said, ''Such a demand for electoral rolls on the basis of religion is aimed at dividing the people on communal terms.'' He said Sudarshan's remarks were targeted at dividing the people and disturbing the communal harmony. ''You cannot divide people in the name of religion for political benefits,'' he added.

Mr Gogoi also defended the Prime Minister's remark in the National Development Council (NDC), advocating special emphasis on the growth of the minority communities.

He said, ''The Prime Minister's remark is being taken out of context. It is a BJP propaganda of playing politics in the name of religion.'' On the BJP recent allegations against the Congress of abetting infiltration from Bangladesh, Mr Gogoi questioned the NDA's inaction during its rule in the Centre.

He said, ''The BJP-led NDA, during its tenure at the Centre, did not do anything to control influx, they should not be crying foul now.'' The Chief Minister informed that the NDC was being persuaded to provide government guarantee to the Rs 4,000 crore infrastructure development projects coming into the state.

He said, ''I have approached the NDC in this matter and have received a sympathetic response from them.'' Mr Gogoi said Rs 1,000 crore would be invested in the state roadways, Rs 1,900 crore in bridges and Rs 1,500 crore for flood and erosion management. UNI MT-SG JYN RL ND1600