ULFA questions PM's RS nomination

Guwahati, May 16 (UNI) The United Liberation Front of Asom today questioned the prospect of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's represention of Asom's indigenous people, while Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi promised record votes for Dr Singh in the coming RS election.

The ULFA newsletter 'Freedom' castigated Asom's political parties' decision to field RS candidates having no roots in the state ''On what basis did Dr Manmohan Singh, Matang Singh and Mani Kumar Subba become Rajya Sabha member from Asom without even shedding a single drop of blood for Asom'' the statement said.

However, the Chief Minister said that Dr Manmohan Singh would get at least 80 votes, nearly double than the required 43 votes.

Although, the Prime Minister's election had been a forgone conclusion but the Congress as a matter of pride is trying to garner all the smaller parties and independent votes to boost the final figure.

However, the ULFA in their statement said ''the subject for consideration here is not the representation status of Dr Singh, but the issue is whether the right of the indigenous people to represent themselves has been protected or usurped''.

Nevertheless, the Chief Minister said that he was happy that the ''Opposition remained divided''.

''Naturally I am happy,'' he said.

The Rajya Sabha poll will see four candidates for two seats.

Besides Dr Singh, the AGP has fielded Kumar Deepak Das, AUDF Matang Singh while independent candidate Padmarajan has also filed papers.

Regarding Matang Singh's overture of withdrawing his candidature in favour of Congress, the chief minister said, that anybody could join Congress.

''Why should one go through the backdoor,'' he added.

UNI