Sensing trouble, Congress to issue whip for Assam session

GUWAHATI: Fearing trouble from dissident MLAs in the assembly session beginning on August 4, Congress is likely to issue a whip to ensure that its government is not toppled or faces an embarrassment. The number of dissident MLAs was over 40 but plummeted to 23 after chief minister Tarun Gogoi dropped two rebel ministers from his cabinet.

The state government is anticipating a no-confidence motion by opposition parties during the session.

The dissident camp has announced that it will play the role of ‘constructive opposition’ in the House.

Parliamentary affairs minister Nilamoni Sen Deka told ET, “we will issue a whip when important legislations come up during the ensuing budget session of the state assembly.” A senior leader in Congress added, “there may be attempts to embarrass the government during the session.”

After managing to win over several MLAs from the rebel camp, Gogoi reached New Delhi on Friday and he is expected to discuss the cabinet reshuffle with Sonia Gandhi and get her clearance.

Three leaders from the dissident camp are likely to be accommodated. Efforts are also on for rapprochement with dissident leader Himanta Biswa Sarma. On July 21, education and health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had resigned, opposing the leadership of chief minister Tarun Gogoi.

Sarma submitted his resignation to governor JB Patnaik, earning the ire of AICC. This was followed by clamour for disciplinary action against Sarma. Pradesh Congress committee president Bhubaneswar Kalita had said that tendering resignation bypassing the chief minister was ‘unconstitutional’. Such an act has lowered the image of Congress and is a breach of party discipline. We do not endorse such a step and appropriate action will be taken by the All India Congress Committee.” However sources close to chief minister said, “attempts are on for rapprochement between Sarma and Gogoi.”