Polls 2011: Congress to form next Assam govt, says Tarun Gogoi

Predicting an absolute majority for the Congress in the just-concluded assembly polls, Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi today said its ally the Bodo Peoples Front had grown in popularity not only in Bodoland Territorial Council area but in the entire state.

Claiming that his Congress party would create record by winning for the third time with over 63 seats in the 126-member house, Gogoi said, "Our relationship with the BPF has become stronger."

The chief minister heaped praise on the leadership of BPF chief Hagrama Mohilary who is also the BTC chief and said his popularity had grown day by day and his support base was not just limited to Bodo dominated areas but had spread to upper and central Assam also.

Gogoi said the high turnout of voters proved a rise in people's expectation.

"People's aspiration have gone up and they have shown faith in us. This record turnout has proved that people of Assam are nationalists and not separatists having a regional bend of mind as commonly believed in some quarters," Gogoi said.

"The election has been by and large peaceful and we are happy that women and youth voted in large number," he said.