Assam: In 12 yrs,Gogoi faces first dissidence

Those who attended the meeting included Sarma,Nalbari MLA Jayanta Malla Barua and Raha MLA Pijush Hazarika.

The revolt within the Congress in Assam has become official,with as many as 20 of the partys 79 legislators refraining from putting their names in a signature campaign intended at reposing faith in Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi here on Thursday.

While the move was initiated by former minister Ripun Bora understandably at the instance of the chief minister himself,59 legislators signed on it,with the rest saying there was no question of signing because it was not a confidence motion moved by Gogoi. Prominent among those who are said to have refrained from endorsing the campaign were Health and Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and most of the partys young brigade which is known to be close to him.

The signature campaign was launched after at least 20 MLAs met in the official residence of Congress legislator Chandan Sarkar here late Wednesday evening and apparently drew up a strategy to oust Gogoi. Those who attended the meeting included Sarma,Nalbari MLA Jayanta Malla Barua and Raha MLA Pijush Hazarika.

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In a related development,AICC general secretary Digvijaya Singh Thursday sent a letter to Sarma seeking an explanation on the role reportedly played by NewsLive,a TV news channel,in whipping up a campaign against Gogoi. The news channel that had made headlines over a molestation case in the Assam capital last year is headed by Sarmas wife.

Revealing this,Bharat Chandra Narah,media advisor to chief minister,in a statement said Digvijaya Singh had informed Gogoi in a letter about the explanation sought from the minister regarding the TV channels campaign against the Congress-led government.

Gogoi is flying to New Delhi on Friday with speculation that he would seek the Congress high commands signal to reshuffle his cabinet,in the process clip the wings of some of his detractors.

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