GUWAHATI, May 25 - Even though its kitty in the new Legislative Assembly has come down to only 26 seats, election of the new Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader is expected to be interesting with more than one contender already jumping into the fray.
Sources in the Congress party said that among the claimants to the post of CLP leader are former ministers and senior leaders Ajanta Neog and Rakibul Hussain.
The party is waiting for the return of APCC chief Anjan Dutta from New Delhi before holding its Legislature Party meeting.
�While Tarun Gogoi seems to be the most obvious choice, he may opt out of the race as he has served as Chief Minister for three terms and the Leader of the Opposition post will not be suitable for him. Besides, it needs to be factored in that the CLP leader will also be the Leader of the Opposition and as such, will be expected to play a major role inside the Legislative Assembly on a day-to-day basis when the House is in session and also in between sessions and as such, the party may go for a younger person,� said an APCC office-bearer.
He added that the names of senior leaders and former ministers Rakibul Hussain and Ajanta Neog are also doing the rounds.
�In the previous Legislative Assembly, the principal opposition group was the AIUDF, which had only 18 MLAs and so was not eligible for the post of Leader of the Opposition. However, with 26 MLAs with us this time, we will have the post,� said the party leader.
He said that the Congress party will take into consideration a number of things before selecting the CLP leader.
�While Hussain is important for us as we want to retain our support base among the minorities, we also need to regain our footprints in upper Assam where we fared badly this time. So Neog, who is the MLA from Golaghat, is also a strong contender. Besides, she is also a woman, and female voters constitute half of the electorate,� said sources in the APCC.
The party leaders, however, maintained that the CLP leader will be selected unanimously.
�Anjan Dutta is still undergoing treatment in New Delhi. Our CLP meeting is expected only when he returns to Guwahati,� said a Congress leader.
