NEW DELHI, July 8 � The AICC high command, following a patch-up attempt, has asked the three top leaders � Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, PCC president Anjan Dutta and disgruntled leader Himanta Biswa Sarma � to work together to ensure victory for the Congress in the ensuing Assembly polls.
Today�s much-talked about meeting, chaired by AICC vice president Rahul Gandhi, did not produce dramatic results though the three leaders spoke in unison about working together to defeat the BJP at the hustings.
AICC general secretary Dr CP Joshi, who also joined the meeting that lasted for an hour, was asked to ensure proper coordination among all leaders in the party. �He will implement the micro part of whatever was agreed at the meeting today,� said sources.
Gogoi later told newsmen that there was no decision taken on assigning any particular responsibility to anyone. He said it was a routine discussion of the State party leadership with the AICC. The vice president frequently holds interaction and he has even held discussion with some of our panchayat members, he said.
�All is well� is how Dutta described the outcome of the meeting, confirming that they have all been advised to work in tandem.
Describing the meeting as encouraging, Sarma said a good beginning has been made when he got an opportunity to express his views. �I am happy,� he said.
Sarma, however, ruled out the possibility of joining the government till April 2016, asserting that he played a key role in every election since 2001. �If I don�t play any role in the next election, then it will mean opposing the party,� he said.
Meanwhile, the AICC seemed anxious about the political scenario in Assam. It was analysed that the BJP has started losing its sheen in Assam after the passage of the Land Boundary Agreement, failure to resolve the foreigners problem and even aborting the appointment of Rupshikha Saikia Borah as CMD of Oil India Limited.
However, Dr Joshi reportedly said that though BJP is losing its popularity, the Congress party in Assam has not grown. He pointed to the BPF snapping its ties with the Congress and division in tea votes.
Sources said Rahul Gandhi advised the Assam leaders to take the party workers along and win their confidence, which he said was crucial. There were some tense moments in the meeting when Gogoi, supported by Dutta, complained that a TV news channel, being run by Sarma�s close relative, had been discrediting the government and party. Sarma contested this and defended the channel arguing that a particular channel cannot be muzzled in such a manner.
Sources said that Sarma also complained about appointment of a few top officials by the Chief Minister, alleging their close links with the BJP and RSS. Gogoi protested and argued that he cannot be held responsible for any official�s political leanings. The officials are appointed as per seniority, he said. The Chief Minister was reportedly seconded by Gandhi who opined that they have had similar experiences at the Centre.
