PM's visit to Assam was a failure: AGP

Guwahati, Aug 27: Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh's two-day visit to Assam, which concluded on Tuesday, Aug 26, was on Wednesday, Aug 27 dubbed a 'complete failure' by the state's main Opposition party Asom Gana Parishad (AGP).

''The Prime Minister's visit was a total failure. He failed to address the burning issues,'' AGP Lok Sabha member Sarbananda Sonowal said.

Pointing out that Dr Singh maintained a ''stoic silence'' on the Bangladeshi infiltration issue, he said, ''With the state burning over the matter and the recent High Court verdict exposing the gravity of the situation, the state had expected the Prime Minister to announce measures to rectify and control the situation.

''It is evident now that the Congress-led governments, both in the state as well as Centre, have no clear view or agenda to tackle the influx problem. Rather they are busy protecting them for votes,'' he added.

The MP further said, ''Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil has himself said that fundamentalists are posing a security threat and are active in Assam. And yet the Prime Minister remained silent on it.'' Referring to the economic package announced by the Prime Minister, Dr Sonowal said, ''The Congress is known to announce packages but its commitment in implementing them is missing.'' UNI SG DPM KLC1405