PM casts vote in Guwahati, confident of Congress win (Lead)

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Guwahati, India April 23: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who cast his vote here Thursday, said a Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government would form the government at the centre once again.

"The Congress in Assam will win a thumping majority and there will be a Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government at the Centre," Manmohan Singh told journalists soon after casting his vote along with his wife Gursharan Kaur.

"I am really excited to be back home and cast my vote. It is the duty of all Indians to exercise their franchise," the prime minister said.

"I am not at all tense about the polling. Our performance will be very good," he added.

Asked if the Congress would consider a post-poll tie up with Left parties, Manmohan Singh refrained from making any comment.

Hundreds of people lined up the streets leading to the polling station in the Dispur Government Higher Secondary School in the heart of Guwahati, where Manmohan Singh and his wife voted.

Heavy security arrangements had been made at the school, polling station number 156, for Manmohan Singh's visit.

The prime minister, elected to the Rajya Sabha from Assam, has a rented house close to the polling station.

Manmohan Singh is a tenant of former Assam Chief Minister Hiteswar Saikia's wife Hemoprova Saikia.

The prime minister had not exercised his franchise in the last elections.

Manmohan Singh left for New Delhi after spending about 15 minutes at the polling station.

-IANS (source : www.themoneytimes.com )