Date:14/02/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/02/14/stories/2003021405111100.htm

National

Sonia blames Meghalaya Govt. for militancy

Shillong Feb. 13. The Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, today blamed the regional parties of Meghalaya for failing to provide stability and allowing militancy to grow in the State.

``It is the regional parties which are responsible for the unstable governments in Meghalaya for the last five years and as a result there was no peace, progress or development,'' she said while addressing a public rally at the Jawaharlal Nehru sports complex here.

If her party came to power it would address various problems faced by the State, especially unemployment, Ms. Gandhi said.

Alleging that the Centre and State Governments were neglecting the State, she said it could become the hub of Information Technology of the North-eastern States. Animal Husbandry was also not being given due attention, she said.

The Congress party had never betrayed the trust of the people and if voted to power in Meghalaya and in the Centre, relationship with the neighbouring countries would also be improved for the State's economic development, Ms. Gandhi said.

Keeping in mind the State's vulnerability to external threat, concrete steps would be taken in that direction, she said.

— PTI