Guwahati/Agartala, Feb 11 (IANS): The Chief Ministers of northeastern states on Thursday slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for "excluding" the region in his tweet.

The former Congress president on Thursday tweeted: "There is strength in our Union. Our Union of Cultures. Our Union of Diversity. Our Union of Languages. Our Union of People. Our Union of States. From Kashmir to Kerala. From Gujarat to West Bengal. India is beautiful in all its colours. Don't insult the spirit of India."

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, criticising Gandhi, tweeted: "India is far beyond just a union. We are a proud Nation. Bharat cannot be held hostage to your tukde tukde philosophy. What is your problem with Nation, Nationality and Nationalism ? And hello- beyond Bengal, we Northeast exist."

Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, in his tweet, said: "It baffles me when a senior INC India leader ignores the existence of North East India in statements. When the existence of this region is not even acknowledged, how is Congress asking for votes to the people of Manipur for the upcoming election?"

The elections to the 60-seat Manipur Assembly would be held in two phases on February 28 and March 5.

Criticising the Congress leader, Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb in his tweet said: "In order to preach, Mr. Rahul Gandhi has forgotten our beautiful North Eastern states. Just like his great grandfather, he excluded our region ? We are also a proud part of India. Your ignorance is the reason of your party's total wipe out from Northeast."

Of the eight northeastern states, the BJP is in power in Assam, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura while the NDA allies are governing in Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mizoram and Sikkim.