Congress downplays exodus

By Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, Nov 6: Downplaying the exodus from the party, the Congress today said the exit of the nine rebel legislators has only helped bring back discipline to the party.

"They were gone long ago. They were creating problems. Now, there is no dissidence or resentment in the party," Pradesh Congress president Anjan Dutta said, predicting that the nine legislators will have to forfeit their security money if they contest the next assembly elections.

Training his guns at Himanta Biswa Sarma, Dutta said the Jalukbari legislator had joined the Congress for selfish motives.

Senior Congress minister Rakibul Hussain also took a dig at Himanta Biswa Sarma, saying, "He thinks that he is a big leader. But the fact is he was defeated in the Lok Sabha elections in his constituency by 15,000 votes. He had also persuaded the Congress high command for fielding a candidate of his choice in the Lok Sabha elections, assuring his victory. But he could not ensure his win."

Meanwhile, Anjan Dutta today chaired a meeting at Rajiv Bhavan to discuss the preparations for party vice president Rahul Gandhi's two-day visit to the State from November 26. The meeting formed a 17-member core committee headed by former MP Dwijen Sarma to oversee the preparations.

The Congress plans to organize a "show-of-strength" rally during Gandhi's visit.