Congress not for pre-poll alliance in Assam: CM

Ruling Congress will not go for any pre-poll alliance with any party in the Assembly polls next year but is open for "understanding" to defeat communal forces, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said today.
Holding a press conference here, Gogoi also said that BJP has no local leadership in the state and was dominated by "Hindi-speaking" leaders from outside.
"We will not go for an alliance before the polls. We are only for understanding with any party. We must fight communal forces like BJP," he said.
Congress is open for an understanding with opposition parties like AGP, AIUDF and even RTI activist Akhil Gogoi-led farmers' body Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti to defeat the BJP in the forthcoming Assembly polls, he added.

"I want understanding with one and all, including the media and intellectuals," Gogoi said.
Referring to NDA's drubbing in Bihar polls, he said, "It was the battle of Kurukshetra and they were defeated very pathetically. They are now nervous and engaged in false propaganda against me here."

Launching attack on local BJP leadership, "BJP in Assam is run by Hindigiri. The local leaders are spineless. They do not have the Assamese blood in their veins."
Taking swipe at turncoat Himanta Biswa Sarma, the chief minister described his former party colleague and now BJP leader as an "opportunist".
"He is like a professional singer. While Himanta was with me, I was the best person on earth. Now there is no one worse than me. He does not have any commitment to any ideology or party," Gogoi said.

He added that the state government will bring a White Paper by December 20 regarding the Centre's contribution to Assam during NDA tenure against the UPA rule.
He also criticised the Centre for failing to control rising prices of essential items, including food.