Rajnath promises development if voted to power 

Guwahati, March 21 : Alleging neglect by the ruling Congress as the reason for Assam's apparent lack of development, former BJP chief Rajnath Singh today promised of ensuring the state's progress if the party is voted to power in the coming Assembly elections. 

''The Congress is responsible for the prevailing poverty in the state. A state endowed with such resources and manpower was not destined to live in such conditions,'' Singh said. 

He urged the people to vote for the BJP in the coming polls and give it a chance to reverse the fortunes of Assam. 

Releasing the election manifesto, Singh said, ''These are not hollow commitments; but promises that will be kept.'' The party will accord priority to resolving the Bangladeshi infiltration problem, providing employment and improving the law and order situation, among others, as per the 21-point manifesto. 

Good governance, rooting out corruption, solving the flood and erosion problems and inclusive growth of all sections are among the other assurances given by the saffron party. 

Pointing that 80 per cent of the state’s population was depending on agriculture for their livelihood, Singh said the BJP will provide loans at 3 per cent rate of interest to farmers, weavers and unemployed youths if voted to power. 

''The thrust has to be on agriculture as well as providing alternate means of employment. And the BJP is committed to it,'' he added. 

Assam goes to the polls in two phases on April 4 and 11.

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