NEW DELHI, March 6 � Reported tacit understanding between Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has led to resentment within the saffron party, with the central leadership mulling disciplinary action against its Lok Sabha MP Rajen Gohain.
Within hours of agitated BJP workers ransacking the Party office in Guwahati, one of its senior most MPs, Gohain tendered his resignation from the post of vice chairman of the campaign committee. Gohain, however, declined to comment on his resignation, stating that he can neither deny nor confirm it. He reportedly submitted his resignation to Party in-charge Vijay Goel. �
Goel, when contacted, however, was evasive and said he was busy at a meeting and would call back later. ���
Meanwhile, a senior BJP leader and MP told this newspaper that national president of the party, Nitin Gadkari has ordered disciplinary action against Gohain for yesterday�s incident.
The direction came after the State unit submitted a report to the party�s central leadership, alleging that Gohain may have a hand behind the violence on Saturday. The report said that the workers from Morigaon came in 22 �Winger Vans� organised by somebody with resources. It is suspected that without Gohain�s help it could not have happened, confided the leader.
Earlier, Gohain shot off his resignation owing moral responsibility for yesterday�s incident, tendered his resignation from the post of the vice chairman of the campaign committee. Gohain is also member of the state election committee.
Meanwhile, a BJP Lok Sabha MP from the State said that Gohain is upset with the manner in which the tickets were distributed. He held both State president Ranjit Dutta and �Prabhari for North-east Chandrashekhar responsible for misleading the central election committee.
It is nothing but, repeat of the 2001 polls, when an alliance with AGP was sought to be pushed down the throat of BJP State unit, leading to open revolt and disastrous results, said the MP.
It is not only Gohain, the selection process has saddened most of the State�s Party MPs. Some of the MPs, this newspaper spoke to complained that they were not taken into confidence over the seat sharing arrangement and selection of candidates.
Last week�s meeting of the election committee witnessed much fireworks over the selection of candidates, with Varun Gandhi raising serious objection to the manner in which some candidates were nominated, said party sources.
However, emerging from the meeting of the election committee, Ranjit Dutta had denied any tacit understanding with AGP. He argued that there was little political benefit to be had at this last hour with a poll-tie-up AGP. He even dared AGP to field, candidate against him.
An allegation against BJP levelled by Gohain and his supporters is that the party is fielding �weak candidates� to benefit AGP, as part of an understanding.
Our Staff Reporter adds in Guwahati: Though political analysts feel that yesterday's incident at the State BJP office here has had an adverse impact on the image of the saffron party, its national general secretary Vijay Goel maintained that such incidents will not affect the party.
Addressing mediapersons here today, Goel said that internal dissent and violent behaviour is usual in every political party before the elections but the BJP being a party highly conscious about order, will not tolerate any indiscipline.
"We have taken action against six members for yesterday's mayhem," said Goel.
The party has expelled the six members. The party has also decided to retain the list of candidates, which was one major factor behind the incident.
On the other hand, Goel referring to the ensuing Assembly elections said that the party's fight would be against the Congress and the AGP.
"The BJP will contest in all the 126 Assembly constituencies and we have strong candidates," added Goel observing that the electorate will surely be influenced by the performance factor of the party. "The BJP, ruled States are doing well. We are approaching the electorate of Assam with the development agenda," said Goel asserting that only the BJP can give good governance.
"Corruption and Congress are synonymous. Whether at the Centre or in the State, the Congress has misused public funds," alleged Goel.
