NEW DELHI, July 26 � Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today called on former Defence Minister AK Antony and held discussions with him on resolving the ongoing political crisis in the State.
The AICC is likely to take a call on the Chief Minister�s request for reshuffling his Council of Ministers and his plea for taking disciplinary action against Himanta Biswa Sarma�s group.
According to sources, at least eight MLAs belonging to Himanta�s camp are likely to be issued �showcause notice� for indulging in anti-party activities and tarnishing the image of the party. The showcause notice is the first of a series of measures proposed to be taken by Gogoi�s group, which has been emboldened by the AICC�s support.
Today�s meeting, in which Congress president Sonia Gandhi�s political secretary Ahmed Patel also took part, lasted over an hour. The meeting reportedly took stock of the situation and considered Gogoi�s request for reshuffling his ministry and initiating disciplinary action against Himanta�s close supporters.
Emerging from the meeting, the Chief Minister told newsmen that they had discussed the situation in detail and Ahmed Patel would brief the Congress president on the current political scenario in the State. He said he is also planning to brief Sonia Gandhi on the situation when they would meet.
Gogoi is scheduled to attend an Iftaar party, which would be hosted by the Congress president on Sunday. He said he has made some suggestions and whatever the party high command decides would be acceptable to him.
As reported, the AICC has been making some reconciliatory statements in favour of Himanta, describing his recent acts against Gogoi as an outcome of personal ambition. The AICC has also clarified that Himanta�s grouse would be sorted out within the party�s fora. However, some of the senior AICC leaders appear to be upset with Himanta for indulging in political brinkmanship.
This newspaper has gained access to a note written by AICC general secretary in-charge for Assam Dr CP Joshi to the Congress president that some of the estranged MLAs are planning to join the BJP.
�Today, I got a call from Himanta Biswa Sarma informing that around 10 MLAs are in touch with BJP leader Ram Madhav and they will resign from their Assembly seats on Monday,� Dr Joshi�s note written on July 16, said.
�I told him to prevail upon these MLAs and bring their grievances to the notice of the Chief Minister, so that they don�t go to that extent. I have also brought this to the notice of the Chief Minister and the information given by Sarma and take appropriate action,� Dr Joshi said.
�Furthermore, I am in discussion with Gautam Roy, Anjan Dutta and Paban Singh Ghatowar to resolve the current political crisis in the State,� the note said.
