Gogoi welcomes AICC deputy Rahul’s greater responsibility announcement

Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Wednesday welcomed Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi’s announcement, expressing willingness to shoulder greater responsibility.
Addressing a press conference here, Gogoi said, “Rahul Gandhi is the Congress’ candidate for Prime Minister. His expression of willingness to play bigger role is very encouraging for all the party men. I have been rooting for him for a long time as the next Congress Prime Minister.”
On the reported continued dissidence within the party in the state, Gogoi said, “I am not at all interested in making any comment on the dissidence and activities of dissident MLAs. Let the dissidence do whatever they want to do. I will remain chief minister as long as the high command wishes so. I am only interested in ensuring further development of Assam.”
On the possibilities of Lok Sabha poll alliance in the state, Gogoi said the Congress has been considering an alliance with the minority political group All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF).
Maintaining that the state was progressing on all fronts, he said a green revolution was taking place in Assam as the volume of production of vegetables, fruits and rice in the state was in the upswing because of the several initiatives taken up by his government since 2001.
He said over 14 lakh farmers in the State had availed loan under KCC and the total disbursement of loan amounts to about Rs 6830 crore till date.
The disbursement of KCC loans has increased during the last four years with more and more farmers becoming aware of the benefits, Gogoi added. (UNI)