NEW DELHI, July 18 � Continuing with its consultation process for resolving the political crisis in Assam, AICC general secretary in-charge for the State CP Joshi on Friday met a host of State Congress leaders, including Anjan Dutta, Sushmita Dev and Gautam Roy.
Talking to newsmen, Dutta said that the possibility of Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi being changed has been ruled out. The AICC is likely to make a formal announcement in this regard soon, he added. �The Chief Minister will continue till 2016,� Dutta told newsmen after meeting Joshi.
Later, talking to this newspaper, Dutta said that he has conveyed to Joshi that he is Tarun Gogoi�s loyalist and would support him. Dutta clarified his position following reports in the media that he was being tipped for the post of the Chief Minister. He further said that he has told Joshi that whatever decision the AICC takes should be done without further delay, as the situation was getting worse by the day.
The chaos had tarnished the image of the party and it would be a tough task for it to fight the polls under the prevailing circumstances, he said. Further, he said that he has urged Joshi to ask the Chief Minister to reshuffle his council of ministers.
The Congress MLA also hinted that there was division within the dissident group, claiming that several legislators had called him to inform that they are unwilling to quit the party.
Sushmita Dev told newsmen after her meeting that whatever decision the AICC takes would be acceptable to them. State Minister Gautam Roy defended State Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma saying his colleague was fit to discharge any responsibility.
Meanwhile, AICC sources said that the party may opt for disciplinary actions against some of the rebels to send a strong message to the partymen.
Yesterday, briefing newsmen, Abhishek Singhvi, when asked about the crisis in Assam denied such press speculation about a revolt in the party. �We deny all such speculations. We know that earlier various interactive sessions have been held at various levels of the party, right from the local people in Assam up to the highest level to elicit all appropriate views as should be done in a listening and a sensitive party, which the Congress is, but on that basis, the report filed with the Congress president awaits final action.
