NEW DELHI, May 28 � The AICC has formally started the reconciliation process in a bid to resolve the political crisis in Assam, with the team of observers led by Ghulam Nabi Azad holding discussion with the rebels.
A group of 25 dissident MLAs today met AICC leader Azad at his 5 South Avenue residence. The meeting that lasted for over two-and-a-half hours, was joined by AICC general secretary in-charge for Assam, Dr CP Joshi.
Emerging from the meeting, senior leaders Sarat Borkotoki and Dr Abdul Muhib Mazumdar told newsmen that there was no discussion about change of leadership today.
Instead, they analysed the election results and discussed the Assembly election due in 2016. They claimed that they have come to Delhi at the invitation of the AICC panel.
Meanwhile, sources informed that they have started the process of compromise between the two warring groups and tried to gauge the mood of the MLAs, who called for a change of leadership.
A possibility that was discussed was to drop all ministers, who have completed 10 years. But since the rebels insisted that the rule should also apply to Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, it was promptly discarded, sources said.
Another idea that was thrown around was to include an equal number of MLAs as ministers from both the camps. The disgruntled MLAs did not agree to the suggestion, added sources.
As reported, Congress president Sonia Gandhi has refused to accept the resignation of the Chief Minister, asking him to continue. Taken as a sign of the AICC�s continued confidence in Gogoi�s leadership, his loyalists spread the word that he has been given a free hand to handle the situation.
A leader backing Gogoi had told newsmen that there is a strong possibility that the Chief Minister might reshuffle his council of ministers after the State Government completes its third anniversary celebration on June 1.
