Congress favours statehood for Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Port Blair, Jul 23 (UNI) The Congress Party today said that the tsunami-hit Andaman and Nicobar Islands need to achieve statehood for its overall growth and development.

''The islands need a democratic setup in which all powers will be in the hands of the public. Actually, this is the right time for setting up of an Assembly in these islands,'' said Kuldeep Rai Sharma, President of Andaman's Congress Unit.

Mr Sharma said that setting up of an Assembly is a big issue and almost all political leaders are supporting it across India.

During the last Lok Sabha elections, the Congress Mainfesto also announced that a Mini Assembly would be set up for Small Union Territories.

The lone Member of Parliament Manoranjan Bhakta had also earlier requested Ms Gandhi to refer the matter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to enable him to look into the matter.

UNI