AGP belches up displeasure on power share

By our Staff Reporting

GUWAHATI, March 17: Belching up displeasure by AGP leaders on representation in the State administration is likely to trigger a series of hiccups in the coalition at Dispur. The regiol party wants, what it says, proportiote representation in power share in the State administration and due honour to the understanding reached between the two parties for the ruling coalition to work smoothly.

Talking to media persons in the city today, AGP general secretary Kamala Kanta Kalita said: “Most of the chairmen and vice chairmen of various boards, corporations and PSUs have joined their posts, barring us. We did raise the issue of proportiote representation, and let Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal know of this through a memorandum. However, the Chief Minister is yet to hold any talks with our party on this issue.”

The AGP was given the post of chairmen of four different boards or corporations. While Kamala Kanta Kalita has been given the post of chairman of Khadi and Village Industries Board, Manoj Saikia has been given the post of chairman of Assam Livestock and Poultry Development Corporation, Prabin Hazarika as the chairman of Assam Trade Promotion Organization and Pukon Baruah as the chairman of Assam Hydrocarbon and Energy Company. The chairmen and vice chairmen of 28 public sector units of the State were announced on March 4.

 Kalita said that they have already informed the party leadership of their appointment as chairmen. However, the party is yet to give them nod to join the posts, he said.

When asked on the stand of the regiol party on the ensuing panchayat poll in the State in the aftermath of its coalition partner BJP making an announcement of going it alone, Kalita said: “We’re also ready to go solo. We’re now strong enough to fight any poll alone. If the BJP wants to continue its alliance with us, our door is open.”

When asked on AGP’s stand on candidature for bye-poll in Dhemaji LAC, Kalita said that the party would hold talks on the issue on March 18.