Guwahati: Tarun Gogoi, the Chief Minister designate of Assam, said on Saturday that he was ready to accept 'anybody coming forward unconditionally' in his coalition government.
Immediately after being elected the leader of the Congress Legislature Party, Gogoi said he had the support of 12 MLAs of the Hagrama faction of the Bodoland People's Progressive Front, nine independent legislators and the lone NCP member in the assembly to form a coalition.
His comments came in response to questions from reporters as to whether he would take the support of the Assam United Democratic Front (AUDF), the party formed by Muslim businessman Badruddin Ajmal.
The Congress has 53 MLAs in the 126-member house. Ajmal, who was at loggerheads with Gogoi before the polls, had earlier said his party would think of joining the government only if an offer came from the Congress.
Gogoi said bringing the outlawed ULFA and other insurgent groups of Assam to the negotiating table would be the priority of the new government to be led by him.
He said that second on the list would be tackling the state's 'burning ethnic problem',added that he would have to shoulder greater responsibilities during his second consecutive term to usher in development.
The new government would also have to speed up measures for progress set in motion during Gogoi's previous term to live up to the growing expectations of the people, he said.
Solving the unemployment problem and controlling the malaria menace in Assam would occupy his immediate attention, Gogoi informed.
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