Mr Amiable

Conciliation is a key word in Tarun Gogoi's dictionary. "We are against any witchhunt -- either against government officials or our political rivals," Assam's ChiefMinister designate said in an interview to Outlookindia.com on Monday morning. No one should have any fear on this count, he said. Basking in the glory of having the led the Congress to a resounding victory -- the party bagging 72 seats in a House of 126, Gogoi has ample reasons to smile.

"In a complex and problem ridden state like Assam, we need co-operation from all,including our friends in the Opposition. In fact, when Prafulla Kumar Mahanta (theoutgoing Chief Minister) called me, I sought his co-operation for the betterment of thestate," Gogoi disclosed. Buoyed by the fact that the Congress has done well evenamong non-traditional supporters like the caste Hindu Assamese for the first time in threedecades, Gogoi says "I want to make a fresh beginning in all aspects, be itrebuilding the composite Assamese society or making the state prosperous." Clearly,Gogoi is in a mood to forgive and forget.

In fact, observers here in Guwahati attribute the Congress' thumping comeback toGogoi's pleasant disposition and his ability to carry all factions and diverse opinions along. Traditionally, the Congress has depended on a potent combination of

Muslims, tea garden workers and a section of Bengali Hindus for its votes.This timehowever, the party made inroads into the regional bastions of lower Assam known to be thestronghold of regional parties like the ousted Asom Gana Parishad (AGP).

"For the first time since 1972, all sections of the Assamese society have votedfor us," Gogoi points out. He is even willing to concede an autonomous set-up for theBodos under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, as envisaged in a proposed accord withthe Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT), a militant group, currently observing a ceasefire withthe government.

Economic development of Assam and solving the grave problem of unemployment will ofcourse be the main thrust of the Congress government, he said. He, however, conceded thatthe state's financial position was precarious. "At this moment I do not want to gointo the reasons for such a state of affairs but we will need help even from the Centre inthis regard," he said.

The newly-elected Congress MLAs are expected to meet on Wednesday in the presence ofAICC observer Kamal Nath and formerly elect Gogoi as the Congress Legislature Party (CLP)leader. He is expected to stake his claim with the Governor the same day. The date ofswearing-in is yet to be fixed though.