Guwahati: The banned ULFA has expressed hope of negotiation with the Centre in the new year for a 'political solution' to the insurgency problem in Assam but insisted that 'sovereignty' should be the core issue.

In an e-mail to local media here, ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa hoped that the process of political dialogue for resolving the 'Assam-India conflict' which was stalled in 2006 would be resumed and completed in the new year.

"Restoration of sovereignty of Asom would be the only political solution to the conflict", the ULFA leader said and called upon all political parties, non-political organisations and the people of Assam to play their role in reaching a political solution.

Greeting the people on the occasion of New Year and Bihu, Rajkhowa alleged that in 2006 "political leaders failed to realise the gravity of the problem of people of Asom who faced police and army atrocities".

"The Centre also did not give a written assurance to discuss the issue of sovereignty as demanded by the outfit and thus derailed the peace process," he alleged.