ULFA threat had no impact on turnout in 1st phase: Gogoi

Guwahati, Apr 6: The ULFA threat on Congress had no impact on the voter turnout in the first phase of polling in Assam and peace parleys with the group will continue without its elusive ''military chief'' Paresh Baruah, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today (Apr 6) said.

"Paresh Baruah-led anti-talk faction's threat to Congress workers and leaders had no impact on the voter turnout in the first phase of polling on Monday," Gogoi told reporters here.

"BJP, AGP and others are also freely campaigning despite the ULFA threat to Congress. This is possible because we (Congress) brought peace to Assam... Though BJP and AGP do not agree that peace has returned to the state, the country has acknowledged it," he asserted.

He said peace talks with ULFA without Paresh Baruah will continue.

"We want Paresh Baruah to come but if he doesn't, it does not mean there will be no talks. Talks will continue," the chief minister said.

"Even Phizo (Naga insurgent leader) did not come for the peace parleys but peace returned to Nagaland," he said.

PTI