NEW DELHI, July 16 � In a series of interesting political developments, former Union Minister, Bijoy Krishna Handique today declined the offer to take over as the State chairman of the party�s high-powered Disciplinary Committee.
Even as Handique conveyed his decision to the party High Command, former Union Minister of State Matang Sinh was re-inducted into the Congress Party after a long gap. He was under suspension from the Congress Party for over a decade for indulging in �anti-party activities�.
In a move that took many State Congressmen by surprise, Sinh called on Congress president Sonia Gandhi this morning at 10 Jan Path. He was accompanied by AICC general secretary in-charge for Assam, Digvijay Singh.
Later, he went to AICC, where he was formally welcomed back to the party. Digvijay Singh later announced his return to Congress with immediate effect.
�Matang Sinh is now in the party fold,� said the AICC general secretary in-charge of Assam.
The former minister said he was happy to be back in his parent party and assured to work for the interest of the party and the State.
AICC sources said that Sinh was re-inducted into the Party in appreciation of his role during the recent Assembly polls.
Meanwhile, Handique, who was offered the post of
chairman of the party�s Disciplinary Committee declined it and reportedly spoke to PCC president Bhubaneswar Kalita.
Handique, who resigned from the Union Ministry, is apparently upset over the recent political developments. Yesterday, Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi rushed to his house soon after his arrival and the two were closeted for over an hour.
Sources said that the Chief Minister conveyed that he too was caught unawares by the development.
Gogoi is now likely to write to the Prime Minister, expressing his disappointment and renew the plea for at least two Central ministers in light of the overwhelming performance of the Congress Party in the recent polls.
The former Union Minister had told this newspaper soon after his removal that he wished to continue in active politics and was not keen on accepting governorship.
