Advani promises NE of greater attention if BJP voted to power

Guwahati, Sep 28 (UNI) BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate L K Advani today made a pitched cry for voting the BJP-led NDA back to power at the Centre in the next general elections, promising Assam and the North-East of special attention if it assumes power in New Delhi.

''NE is a vital part of the country and NDA has always been sympathetic and attentive to the needs and problems of the region during its tenure,'' Mr Advani said, addressing a massive 'Vijay Sankalp Samaroh' here.

''NE could be far from New Delhi, but it is never far from the heart of the BJP,'' he added.

The Indian Mujahideen's purported threat to eliminate Mr Advani during his tomorrow's visit to Shillong led to massive security, though the senior leader remained unfazed and made no mention of it.

Stressing that the NDA government had undertaken several development activities in the region during its rule, Mr Advani said, ''NDA was conscious of two major issues in Assam - the issue of infiltration and erosion of Majuli, the island standing for the cultural identity of the state - and had done its best to address these issues.'' Pointing that the people of Assam had waged the biggest movement in independent India over the foreigners' issue, he said, ''But the Congress failed to address the rightful grievances of the people.

''The foreigners issue has come to such a pass now that it is not only threatening the identity of Assam, but the entire internal security mechanism of the country,'' he said, adding that Bangladeshi infiltrators were suspected behind yesterday's blasts in New Delhi.

He also claimed that the process for photo identity cards and National Register of Citizens started by the NDA was halted by the UPA, adding that these steps could have helped in checking the influx to a great extent.

On the Majuli conservation steps initiated by the NDA government, the former Deputy Prime Minister said, ''The NDA had set in motion the process for acquiring UNESCO World Heritage Site status for Majuli. But the Congress government failed to pursue it effectively.

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