Gogoi vs Himanta,‘who wants to be chief minister’

Gogoi has been attacking Sarma directly. “I used to trust him a lot. Now he wants to become the chief minister,what else? I am no longer on good terms with him,” Gogoi said last Sunday.

Sarma had shot into prominence in the 2001 elections. Then just 32,he defeated AGP giant Bhrigu Kumar Phukan,his one-time mentor. Over the years and until the showdown,he rose to be the most trusted lieutenant for Gogoi,who would not take any major decision without consulting him.

Things began changing in 2010,when Gogoi underwent a major cardiac surgery in Mumbai,which sparked gossip in some quarters within the party that he was gradually fading out. Sarma still worked closely with Gogoi to help the Congress to a record victory in 2011,but the rift had then begun.

The campaign had seen the arrival of Gaurav Gogoi,the chief minister’s son. The local media described him as heir apparent,legislators and party leaders began getting closer to him,and Sarma,until then leader of the young brigade,felt left out,especially when Gogoi started sending his son to campaign for ministers other than Sarma.

This year,after the chief minister sensed Sarma was looking at his chair,he asked his ministers to stop dreaming and concentrate on working for the people. This was followed by a remark by Sarma on social media that it was now getting difficult even to dream. And on February 1,he posted on Twitter that he was now an “astamita yatrar lok” — meaning a person heading towards sunset.

In March,a group of legislators including Sarma reportedly held a meeting,apparently for drawing up a strategy to oust Gogoi. This is what led to the signature campaign,launched by the Gogoi camp. Of 79 Congress legislators,the 20 who refrained from putting their signatures were largely those said to have attended the meeting.

Meanwhile,a channel run by Sarma’s wife was running what the opposite camp saw as an anti-Gogoi tirade,leading to then AICC general secretary in-charge of Assam Digvijaya Singh calling for an explanation from Sarma.

Gogoi,who had already started sidelining Sarma,said openly at a press conference last weekend,“Himanta Biswa Sarma wants to become chief minister. That is why he is engineering dissidence.”

Sarma has been claiming credit for getting foreign funds when he was minister for Guwahati development. Gogoi said,“Who brought the schemes,Himanta or Gogoi? I brought the funds from (Japanese agency) JICA.”

This week,Sarma likened Gogoi to a lower court by declaring in social media that his case is now with the Supreme Court. Most Congress members have “genuine” problems which can be addressed only by the party high command,he said. “My views on the current political situation are known to my party high command,and I will go by their instructions.”

On Wednesday,Gogoi praised Forest Minister Rockybul Hussain and said,“My friends are those who had stood by me during difficult times. Rockybul’s father too was a Congress minister,and he himself has come from the NSUI ranks.”

Sarma came from the AASU. He went on Twitter again: “My father was not in politics and obviously not a minister.”

Gogoi has told the media that all his ministers must abide by him. Sarma’s response to that has been,“I am and will be loyal to my leader Sonia-ji and Rahul-ji and the Congress party,whatever may be the provocation.”