NEW DELHI, July 28 � Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi may have promptly advised the Governor to accept State Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma�s resignation, and sacked two others, but he has now come under pressure from the AICC to compromise with the rebels.
The development has taken place even as Gogoi met Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi this evening to brief him on the political crisis in the State. Earlier in the morning, APCC president Bhubaneswar Kalita met Congress president Sonia Gandhi, when he was advised to amicably resolve the issue and �work together�.
Meanwhile, sources said that despite pressure, Gogoi has taken a tough stand and made it known that he would stand by the decision he has taken. The AICC�s suggestion to strike a deal with the rebels came at the meeting with AK Anthony, which was also attended by Ahmed Patel, political adviser to the Congress president.
Sources said, Chief Minister Gogoi argued that dissident activities have hurt the image of the party and affected governance. He submitted a detailed note of the activities of the group in the recent past and interviews given by some of the rebel leaders to various local TV channels. Gogoi also showed the leaders the copy of a national magazine, which carried an interview of Himanta Biswa Sarma. Gogoi alleged that Himanta had attacked the AICC in the interview.
He further conveyed to the leaders that the decision to accept Himanta�s resignation and sack two ministers was taken in consultation with the party high command.
It has been learnt that two views prevail in the AICC. While one section supports tough action against the rebels, the other group has advocated a softer line and compromise with them.
After resisting pressure from the two leaders, the Chief Minister on Sunday apprised the Congress president of the latest developments. Sources claimed that the Congress chief has given Gogoi a free hand to tackle the situation as he deems fit.
The AICC, said sources, was concerned about the survival of the Gogoi Government in case the rebels pull the plug during the forthcoming Assembly session.
