Assam Congress leaders seek strict action against Himanta Biswa Sarma

GUWAHATI: Congress leaders in Assam have sought strict disciplinary action against former education and health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for his outburst against Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi.

About 13 ministers in Gogoi’s cabinet have written a letter to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, asking her to initiate disciplinary proceedings against Sarma and other party rebels for trying to undermine the chief minister’s leadership. Sarma, who is leading the dissidents, had resigned from the state cabinet on Monday.

Leaders of the Congress party’s Assam unit have also supported the demand for action against Sarma. “Sarma’s submitting resignation and proclaiming that they (the dissidents) will function as constructive opposition in the state assembly is against the Congress culture and party’s constitution. There cannot be a separate group within the Congress party,” said Mehandi Alam Bora, chief spokesperson of Assam Pradesh Congress Committee. Gogoi, however, said that Sarma’s exit will not affect Congress’ prospects in the 2016 assembly elections.