AGP forms panel to review poll defeat

A Little less than a month after it suffered a major debacle in the state Assembly elections, the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) today announced the constitution of a three-member...

A Little less than a month after it suffered a major debacle in the state Assembly elections, the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) today announced the constitution of a three-member panel to identify the causes behind it.

‘‘It is a fact that we have lost and we cannot do anything to undo this. But it is equally important to find out the root causes,’’ said AGP president Brindaban Goswami. He said the party central executive committee had given a month to the panel to submit its report.

The panel consists of Debadutta Barkotoki, Dulal Barua and Anup Phukan. Barkotoki is an educationist, Barua a former state Janata Dal president who joined the AGP in 2004 and Phukan a newly elected MLA.

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Goswami, however, dismissed Congress party claims that regionalism was on decline and pointed out that the Congress too had retained power only with the help of a regional group. The Congress tally came down from 75 to 53, and it was only with the BPPF(H) support that it had been able to form a government, the AGP chief said.

Goswami also dismissed reports that the AGP was heading for unification with the Prafulla Mahanta faction. ‘‘We are already in coordination with various regional groups like the BPPF(R) and ASDC,’’ Goswami said, without even once taking Mahanta’s name.

He made it clear that there was no immediate possibility of the AGP taking back those who were thrown out for gross indiscipline. Mahanta was expelled last year following allegations of indiscipline. Goswami also refused to accept that the AGP votes had split due to the Mahanta faction.

The AGP chief also announced constitution of a panel that would take opinion from cross sections of people and gather suggestions for revitalisation of the regional party. ‘‘Ours is a party formed by the people. There are a large number of people who are not members, but who consider the AGP to be their own,’’ Goswami said.

Next round of ULFA group talks on June 22

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New Delhi: The Peoples’ Consultative Group (PCG), a committee formed by the banned ULFA, will hold its third round of talks with the Centre on June 22. ‘‘This will be a very crucial round since we would like the next round to be held directly between the Centre and ULFA. The issue about the release of its five top leaders will also figure in the talks,’’ said Jnanpith winner and PCG member Prof Indira Goswami. The ULFA has been insisting that it’s five activists, lodged in various jails in Assam, will have to be present in a meeting of the executive council to decide on the offer of talks. — ENS