Development, health key planks for Assam polls

Assam will hold the first of its two-phased elections on April 4, and the two key planks likely to occupy the mind space of voters will be development and improved medical faculties.

People in the state will vote on April 4 and 11 to elect 126 candidates to the assembly.

The Congress Party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) as main parties have had very intensive campaign.

"As youth, we hope that the new government will bring us development and improved medical health facilities. Employment opportunities should also be increased as the youth of Assam opt for business as a profession. So, I think the government should work for it," said Sam John, a resident.

"We want problems like scarcity of water should be resolved immediately. We need some financial assistance for the building of temples, and of course, roads should be developed soon. The education system should have better infrastructure," said Meenu Sonowal, another resident.

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has said that there is a need to re-orient the education system. He also said floods and soil erosion have always been major problems.

"We have decided to work with the Central Government and the World Bank to resolve this issue," he added.

The BJP, which is seeking to form the next government in the state, has promised to make its policies result-oriented if voted to power.

The Asom Gana Parishad led by Prafulla Kumar Mahanta has promised to implement the 1985 Assam Accord.