NEW DELHI, June 12 � The disgruntled MLAs have stepped up pressure on the AICC to direct Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi to hold a meeting of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) to clinch the leadership issue.
In what appears to be a case where the disgruntled MLAs are moving towards a point of no return, State Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, a strong contender for the post of Chief Minister, today held a series of meetings with AICC observer Ghulam Nabi Azad and general secretary in-charge Dr CP Joshi.
In between the meetings, he told newsmen that the ongoing political unrest in Assam is likely to be over in four-five days. However, he didn�t indicate which way the wind was blowing or share the details of his discussions with Azad and Joshi.
Sarma first met Joshi at his house for a breakfast meeting and followed it up with another meeting with Azad at his house in the afternoon. Emerging from the meeting, he disclosed that a final round would be held in the evening, when the AICC�s decision would be made known to them.
Meanwhile, a national daily created quite a flutter today by reporting that the party high command has decided to replace Gogoi along with Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan. The report, quoting unnamed sources, said that Gogoi�s loss of support among MLAs has led to the decision to replace him.
Meanwhile, in a calculated strategy, the disgruntled MLAs have decided to take the CLP route, finding the party high command quite reluctant to remove Gogoi at this stage.
Party insider said that MLAs from both camps have been sending feelers to switch sides in case of a show down in the CLP meeting.
As reported, the Chief Minister�s camp is opposed to the idea of convening yet another CLP meeting and has been lobbying against such a move.
Meanwhile, in a surprise move, Azad and Dr Joshi met Congress president Sonia Gandhi to brief her about the developments in Assam. What transpired in the meeting was, however, not known.
