NEW DELHI, Aug 27 - In the backdrop of the estranged leader Himanta Biswa Sarma�s defection to BJP, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today called on Congress president Sonia Gandhi here this evening, and reportedly explained Sarma�s action and claimed that his departure would not have any major impact on the party�s electoral prospects.
Caught unawares, the Congress president had recently sought a report from general secretary in-charge Dr CP Joshi regarding the development.
The Chief Minister has told newsmen that many leaders have quit Congress party in the past but the party always survived.
The Congress high command is anxious that more MLAs might follow Sarma and join the BJP. Though Himanta Biswa Sarma has been hinting at such a possibility, State Congress leaders have told AICC that only about 4 or 5 MLAs might quit Congress.
However, Dr Joshi has now instructed PCC president Anjan Dutta to individually contact each and every MLA, particularly those belonging to Sarma�s camp and caution them against switching parties.
Meanwhile, Gogoi also briefed Sonia Gandhi about Congress party�s electoral victory in the Tiwa Autonomous Council elections, which is considered a major defeat for the BJP which bagged only three seats.
