Communalism, Naxalism great threat to country: PM

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh said communalism and Naxalism are great threats to the country and the Congress is committed to fight the divisive forces.

Dr. Singh also said that the current global economic crisis is a result of mishandling of resources by developed nations.

He said the UPA government has taken a number of measures to ameliorate the hardships on account of this economic slowdown.

Refutes Lalu's allegation over Babri Masjid demolition

Dr Singh also refuted RJD chief Lalu Prasad's allegation that Congress was also to be blamed for the demolition of Babri Masjid.

"Congress believed the affidavit filed by then UP chief minister Kalyan Singh in the Supreme Court (promising to protect the mosque), that was the only fault of the party," said the Prime Minister.

Mr. Singh expressed confidence that the Congress and its allies will be able to form "a credible government" at the Centre after the polls.

Promises "new India" and a "prosperous" Assam

Promising to work for a "new India" and a "prosperous" Assam, the Prime Minister said, "it's the demand of time that Congress should get five more years to govern the country."

Listing out the central government's flagship programmes like NREGA and NRHM, the PM said that the work is still incomplete and efforts have to be made to rid India of poverty.

New ministry for minority affair

The PM also mentioned the steps taken by the UPA government for the welfare of minorities like formation of a new ministry for minority affair, PM's 15-point programme and identification of minority concentrated districts for carrying out special development works.

He also expressed concern over "certain parties doing politics by dividing people on caste and community lines" and felt such politics obstructs the country's progress.

To queries if Assam United Democratic Front would be a threat to the Congress, he said, "AUDF can only divide the secular votes and play a disruptive role".

Dr Singh expressed the hope that there will not be any violence during the elections. "Hope violence is given no place in body politic.

All right thinking people ensure violence is given no place in body politic," said Dr Singh.

He said activities of insurgency groups were a matter of concern for the governments of Assam and India. The home minister was here. There is need to renew efforts to control insurgency in Assam and the NE as a whole.

The prime minister also assured the people of the state of renewed attention to the recurring flood problem in Assam and protection of the Majuli Island.

"Seventy five projects have been taken up by the state government with the help of central government to tackle floods on a high priority basis," Dr Singh said.

"Unfortunately the N-E Water Resource Development Agency has not yet been formed. So this time we will make a determined effort," he said.

He was addressing a press-conference in Aamingaon near Guwahati.

The second phase of polling in Assam will be held April 23rd.

PM to cast his vote in Assam

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who did not cast his vote in 2004 parliamentary elections and also skipped the Assembly polls two years later, would exercise his franchise in Assam on 23^rd April for the Guwahati Lok Sabha constituency.

"Yes, I will be coming here for voting on April 23. My wife (Gursharan Kaur) will also vote with me," Dr Singh, who represents Assam in Rajya Sabha, told reporters in Guwahati while replying to a query.

Dr Singh has his name in the Dispur area voters' list that comes under the Guwahati Lok Sabha constituency and his residential address is of Sorumataria. The constituency goes to polls on April 23 in the second phase of elections.