After Himanta's exit, Congress cosying up to AGP

By Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, Aug 29: A "secret meeting" convened by Congress minister Rakibul Hussain with the AGP top brass, a day after Himanta Biswa Sarma formally joined the BJP, has set tongues wagging in the State.

The meeting took place at the chamber of Hussain in the State Assembly.

Officially, the AGP has denied its leaders took part in any such meeting.

However, sources said AGP president Atul Bora, its legislature party leader Phani Bhusan Choudhury, MLA Keshav Mahanta and general secretary Kamala Kalita took part in the hour-long meeting.

Sources said Hussain discussed the possibility of an "electoral understanding" with the AGP for the 2016 Assembly elections.

Another source said the Congress is jittery following reports that some of its legislators may join the BJP. The Congress has 78 legislators. If 15 Congress legislators quit the party to join the BJP, it will be reduced to a minority government. In that case, it will need support from other parties to stay in power.

Adding fuel to the speculations, Congress minister Chandan Sarkar told reporters that "there can be an electoral understanding with the AGP…there is no problem in that."