Himanta resigns from Assembly

BY OUR STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, Sept 15: Former minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, who left the Congress to join the BJP on Aug 28, tendered his resigtion from the Assam Assembly as a legislator on Tuesday. The Jalukbari MLA placed his papers in front of Speaker Prab Kumar Gogoi at the latter’s official residence, as it was a holiday.

It has been learnt that Dr Sarma who didn’t reply to the show-cause notice served to him by the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC), has sent a 3-page letter to Congress president Sonia Gandhi. Sources informed that in the letter, Dr Sarma blamed Rahul Gandhi for indiscipline in the party.

Talking to the media after tendering his resigtion, Dr Sarma said, “I am thankful to the people of Jalukbari for giving me the opportunity to serve them, but due to political reasons, I couldn’t complete my term. For that, I tender my apology to them.”

Sarma added, “I have resigned from the membership of the Assembly as I had won on a Congress ticket. For the last 15 days, I waited for the Congress to make the necessary move. But since they didn’t take any step from their side, I submitted my resigtion.”

He also said that if bye-election takes place in Jalukbari and if the BJP projects him as its candidate, he is ready to contest.

Sarma also requested the Speaker to allow him to use his official quarter at Dispur MLA hostel for the next two months.

Meanwhile, speaking to the media, Speaker Prab  Kumar Gogoi said, “I have received his resigtion, but since today is a holiday, it will be put on file tomorrow and accordingly as per the constitution, the Election Commission and the Governor will be informed.”

With Himanta Biswa Sarma’s resigtion on Tuesday, the total strength of the Assam Assembly dropped to 125.

It may also be mentioned that the Election Commission can order by-election to a seat, if more than six months is left for the elections to be held. Keeping this in view, it is being speculated that the Jalukbari constituency might go for an early by-election ahead of the 2016 Assembly elections.