Society being divided on cultural, religious lines, says Manmohan
NEW DELHI/GUWAHATI: Ahead of the Assam assembly polls, former prime minister Manmohan Singh on Friday alleged that the society is being divided on the basis of religion, culture and language, and asked people to elect a government that upholds the constitution and the principles of democracy.
He assured the people that if the Congress is voted to power, the Citizenship Amendment Act will not be implemented.
In a video message, a day before the first phase of polling on March 27, Singh urged the people of Assam to vote for the Congress. “Today, I am speaking as one of you. Once again, the time has come to cast your ballot in the Vidhan Sabha election.
You must vote wisely. Your future and the future of your children is in your hands. I urge you to vote for the Congress Party and the Mahajot,” he said.
There is an atmosphere of tension and fear in the state, he claimed. The former PM urged the people to elect a government that upholds the Constitution of India and the principles of democracy and brings about inclusive growth for all.
Singh is one of the Congress’s star campaigners for Assam polls, but has not been able to go there physically due to health reasons and Covid restrictions.
Assam goes to polls in three phases starting March 27.
Singh said the people of Assam have endured terrible suffering through a long period of insurgency and unrest, and the state made a new beginning towards peace and development under the leadership of former chief minister Tarun Gogoi from 2001 to 2016. “However, it is now facing a very serious setback. Society is being divided on the basis of religion, culture and language. The basic rights of the common man are being denied. There is an atmosphere of tension and of fear,” the former prime minister said.