NEW DELHI, April 16 � Newly elected Rajya Sabha MP Najnin Faruqui and re-elected MP Silvius Condpan among others were formally sworn in on Thursday.
On Friday, both the MPs separately met Congress president, Sonia Gandhi to express their gratitude at her Parliament House office this morning.
Sources said Condpan briefed Gandhi about the team efforts that was put in by the State Congress leadership to get him re-elected and praised Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi and PCC chief Bhubaneswar Kalita for their initiative.
Condpan a known Gogoi baiter, was the Party�s second choice and his election to the Upper House became possible because of massive defection from the opposition ranks. Gogoi camp can heave a sigh of relief for now because an obliged Condpan may not try to rock the Chief Minister�s boat by again rushing to Party high command with fresh complaints against him.
Meanwhile, the Congress is toying with the idea of pursuing the case against combined Opposition candidate, Jayanta Baruah in the court. The case relates to concealing of information in election declaration about his conviction in a criminal case.
Condpan told this newspaper that he is keeping the option open about pursuing the case further. �I am planning to consult the Chief Minister before making my next move,� he said.
Condpan�s allegation made at the elevent hour and after scrutiny of papers was rejected by the Returning Officer. He had accused Barua of concealing in his affidavit relating to his conviction in a criminal case. Baruah has dismissed the allegation.
�Jayanta Baruah was convicted in a criminal case and was sentenced to one month imprisonment and fine of Rs.10,000 in case No 604/2001 at the court of the additional sessions judge (Fast Track Court) in Mangaldoi. But he concealed facts and said there was no criminal cases against him in his affidavit,� Condpan had said in his complaint.
Another allegation against Baruah is about his age. �Baruah in his affidavit said he was aged about 47 and said he passed his matriculation exams in 1975. Questions are asked - did Jayanta Baruah pass his matriculation at the age of 12 if he is now 47 years old,� the Congress candidate said in his complaint.
Baruah had dismissed the charges as �Congress propaganda�.
