"If the decision during elections go wrong, not only the country but the State, in particular, is taken backwards by several years and problems for the people increase," Sonia said while addressing an election rally here.

Sonia further went on to say that during the Asom Gana Parishads (AGP) rule "there was an atmosphere of fear". She said that AGP Government emptied the treasury and the State was under heavy burden of debt and the government employees did not get their salaries.

"Under such difficult circumstances you elected the Congress and I am happy they have worked for your progress," she added.

Endorsing Prime Minister Manmohan Singhs words on the illegal foreigners issue in the State, Sonia said that there would be no compromise on the issue. She assured the people that no genuine Indian citizen would be harassed during the detection process.

"Foreigners have to go but genuine citizens of the country will not be harassed. The Foreigners Tribunal Order is being amended to ensure that the rights of genuine citizens are protected," Sonia said.

Even after the scrapping of the Illegal Migrants Determination by Tribunal (IMDT) Act, the Congress Government in the State had ensured that no citizen suffered injustice due to its repeal, she said in her campaigning address for the second phase of polls scheduled for April 10.

61 constituencies spread over 12 districts will go in poll on that day.

For the first phase of Assembly elections, which was held on April 3, Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh were the major campaigners for the Congress. But the second and the final phase of campaign will see a host of other campaigners, including Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Rajashekhar Reddy and young Parliamentarian Sachin Pilot. By Peter Alex Todd (ANI)