AICC worried over Akhil’s allegations

AICC worried over Akhil’s allegations

From our Correspondent

NEW DELHI, July 19: The All India Congress Committee (AICC) is worried over the latest political developments in Assam. Top AICC leaders are of the view that the Tarun Gogoi-led Congress-BPF government in Assam is a popular government and that the Congress is all set to make it to Dispur yet again, but the latest developments pertaining to the multi-crore-rupee NC Hills scam and the startling revelations made by Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) general secretary Akhil Gogoi against State Health and Family Welfare Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has disturbed the party high command.

An anti-Tarun Gogoi lobby has always been active in New Delhi, and the latest developments in Assam, including the NC Hills scam and Akhil Gogoi’s allegations against Himanta Biswa Sarma, has made the lobby resume its tirade against the Chief Minister and his trusted lieutenant Himanta Biswa Sarma. A section of Congress leaders from Assam has already met party president Sonia Gandhi’s political secretary Ahmed Patel on the latest situation in Assam. According to sources, some leaders belonging to the anti-Gogoi lobby have also been sending reports of day-to-day developments in Assam, ranging from NC Hills scam to the KMSS’ revelations against Himanta Biswa Sarma, to party general secretary Rahul Gandhi.

Senior AICC leader Motilal Vohra said: “The AICC continues to keep itself informed of the day-to-day happenings in all Congress-ruled States, and what is happening in Assam is in the knowledge of the AICC.’’

A lobby against Tarun Gogoi has been active from Dispur to Delhi, and that lobby is very active now. The lobby includes former MP Kirip Chaliha, Dwijen Sarma, Bishnu Prasad, Sarat Barkataky, Ardhendu Dey, Bhubaneswar Kalita and MP Silvius Condpan, sources said.

“Preparations for Assam Assembly elections will be started after the polls in Bihar. The AICC had the notion that the Tarun Gogoi-led government in Assam would be able to make it to Dispur again, but the latest developments in the State where the Opposition has put the ruling party in an awkward position is a disturbing development and the AICC is worried,’’ Vohra said.

The main Opposition parties, on the other hand, are ready to raise the issue of corruption in Assam and the allegations brought against Himanta Biswa Sarma in the summer session of Parliament. “The issue of corruption in Assam and the allegations brought by KMSS leader Akhil Gogoi against a minister will be raised in Parliament. We will put pressure on the government to bring corruption in Assam and the allegations of Akhil Gogoi under the purview of a CBI probe,” CPI(M) parliamentary party leader Basudev Acharya said.