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BJP to induct Himanta on Aug 28

By Spl Correspondent

NEW DELHI, Aug 24 - Himanta Biswa Sarma is likely to formally join the BJP on August 28 in Guwahati.

Sarma told newsmen on Monday that he is likely to formally join the BJP in the presence of State leaders. However, he added that he was unaware whether any senior national leader would be present on the occasion.

When asked who else is joining the BJP along with him, he said that he would be joining alone. But he added in the same breath that eventually 80 per cent of his supporters in the Congress party would join the BJP.

Meanwhile, his close associate Jayanta Malla Baruah said that he was holding consultations with the people of his Nalbari constituency to decide on the next course of action. �Majority of the people of my constituency has supported Himanta Biswa Sarma�s decision to join BJP,� he claimed.

Stating that the people of his constituency would ultimately decide, the MLA said that because of certain bindings he was unable to disclose his next course of action.

Meanwhile, it has been learnt that Sarma�s joining the saffron party has not been entirely unconditional.

Sources disclosed that at the meeting on Sunday, which was also attended by general secretary (Organisation) Ram Lal and general secretary in-charge for Assam, Ram Madhav, it was made clear to Sarma that the party would ultimately decide about his position in the party, sources said.

The BJP also declined to give him any assurance on accommodating his supporters in the party. The party has its own mechanism on selecting its candidates and allotting tickets and Sarma cannot dictate terms, sources said.

Yesterday, Sarma had told this newspaper that a final decision on inducting Congress MLAs, would depend on BJP�s State leadership. It is for the BJP to decide how many MLAs they want to induct and that is why I cannot give any numbers,� he said.

While Sarma�s supporters claim at least 15 MLAs might jump sides, Congress leaders told this newspaper that not more than four-five MLAs are expected to leave the party.

Meanwhile, sources said that caught unawares, the AICC leadership on Monday made attempts to contact Sarma. While AICC general secretary, Dr C P Joshi called him, senior leaders despatched former Lok Sabha MP Kirip Chaliha to contact Sarma and talk with him.

Chaliha told this newspaper that he was sent to convey some message to Sarma by a senior leader.

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