Tags:
Journalism of Courage
GUWAHATI, March 6: Close on the heels of the massive electoral reverses suffered by the AGP-led alliance in the State, the Assam government headed by Prafulla Kumar Mahanta has received another severe blow with two senior officers, Chief Secretary Vijendra Singh Jafa and the Chief Minister8217;s commissioner and secretary Chandra Kanta Das, proceeding on leave for an indefinite period.
This has not only embarrassed the Mahanta government but has also triggered off a sense of insecurity among the senior officers, several of whom have already made a beeline to take similar steps.
In fact the developments date back to one day after the polls, held in Assam on February 16, when several senior ministers including Digen Bora, Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, offering to quit if the Chief Minister8217;s special secretary and commissioner C K Das was not removed immediately. Their question was that Das, as the Chief Minister8217;s most trusted officer had wielded power beyond his limit and was even transferring departmental officers without consulting the respective ministers.
The ministers had subsequently withdrawn their officer to quit following an assurance by Chief Minister Mahanta that a decision would be taken after the election process was over.
Unconfirmed reports however said that while Das proceeded on leave following the demand of the ministers, Chief Secretary Jafa had left sensing trouble including the possibility of the new government atthe Centre dismissing the AGP-led government.
Local newspapers on their part have often described Jafa as the Centre8217;s man in the Assam government, who had put Mahanta into many an embarrassment.
