Union finance minister Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday said that by returning the Congress to power for the third consecutive term, people in Assam had voted for "continuity and conciliation."
"It was verdict for continuity as people wanted developmental works launched by the Congress in the last 10 years be carried forward," he told a press conference here after attending the CLP meeting which elected Tarun Gogoi as its leader.
Describing the recent Assembly polls in five states as a "mini general election" Mukherjee said while the people had voted for continuity in Assam, they opted for change in West Bengal.
"The period of conciliation in Assam has started with militant groups and our misguided brothers and sisters revealing their desire to join the national mainstream," he said.
"This (peace process) has been appreciated by the people of Assam and it will taken forward."
Peace, development and stability were the three major Congress planks in Assam, Mukherjee said and congratulated Gogoi for his mature political decisions during the last 10 years which steered the party to power for the third time.
"On the cash management front, Assam has been one of the very few states that has been the best. While there has been no overdraft, there has been surplus," Mukherjee said.
Earlier, addressing the CLP meeting, Mukherjee said the Congress' "spectacular victory" was a result of hard work by all concerned.
{{/usCountry}}Earlier, addressing the CLP meeting, Mukherjee said the Congress' "spectacular victory" was a result of hard work by all concerned.
{{/usCountry}}"Critics had predicted we will get 50 seats and they have been proved wrong," he said.