NEW DELHI, June 9 � The Assam Congress is likely to opt for going it alone in the forthcoming Assembly polls next year.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi and vice president Rahul Gandhi today held a discussion with State Congress leaders including Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and PCC president Anjan Dutta and reviewed organisational matters and the government�s performance.
The meeting, held at 10 Jan Path, was also joined by AICC general secretary in charge for Assam Dr CP Joshi.
Talking to newsmen, Dutta said performance of the government and organisational matters were discussed because of the fact that the State goes to poll in 2016.
When asked about the Congress Party�s stand on any alliance and possible seat-sharing arrangements, Dutta said they had suggested to the high command that the party would prefer to go it alone. �The anti-incumbency factor will be there, still we hope to do well,� Dutta said.
The clarification came following reports that a section within the ruling party was keen on an alliance or a seat-sharing arrangement with the AIUDF.
Meanwhile, sources said the Congress president and the vice president suggested that party discipline be maintained at all cost and if need be, a strong message should be sent to the dissident group.
The direction assumes significance because a section of the leaders are grinding their axe to attack the State leaders ahead of the Assembly polls, amidst reports that a breakaway faction might even join the BJP.
Interestingly, the meeting did not discuss anything about the banner of revolt raised by Himanta Biswa Sarma�s group and its likely impact on the party�s electoral prospects.
The State leaders were also told that each of the MLAs should be directed to visit all the polling booths in his/her constituency. The two State leaders were asked to spell out their strategy for the next Assembly polls.
The AICC leaders, who came armed with documents, particularly memorandums submitted against the Chief Minister, told Gogoi to urgently tackle all �anti-government forces�.
