GUWAHATI, Nov 17: The outlawed United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) has issued a stern warning to the Congress and asked it to make its stand clear on the issues raised by the outfit within 15 days from today.The ULFA's threat comes as a reaction to Congress president Sitaram Kesri's recent remark that the outfit was scared of the party and that was why it did not obstruct the Congress rally held here last week. A statement issued by the central committee of the ULFA said the Congress was out and out against the interests of the people of Assam, and that was why it had passed derogatory remarks against the outfit.

Kesri had made the remark last week when newsmen asked him what he thought could be the reason behind the ULFA not calling any `bandh' during the Congress rally, while it had obstructed an Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) rally last month.``Kesri's remark is not only aimed at the ULFA but also against the people of Assam, and by doing so he has endorsed the repressive measures adopted by the Government against the people of the State,'' the statement said.The ULFA also called Kesri ``a senile old man who is unfit for leading a political party'', and said his remarks against the outfit had proved it.The statement said the ULFA saw no reason to be scared of a party like the Congress which according to it consisted of corrupt and direction-less people.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.