Ministers resign, Gogoi to reconstitute State cabinet

BY OUR STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, January 19: In a crucial meeting of the council of ministers on Monday at Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi’s Koidhora residence, all the ministers tendered their resigtion, putting an end to months– long speculation over the ministry reshuffle issue. With the resigtion of all ministers of the State Cabinet, Gogoi is now fully prepared for his ministry reshuffle as he already got the approval of the party high command.

The Chief Minister also sought January 23 from the State Governor PB Acharya as the date of his new ministry’s oath taking event.

It may be mentioned that Acharya, who is also holding the post of galand governor, is now in Kohima due to political instability cropped up in that State.

Sources said that the Gogoi ministry reshuffle would now take place in two phases – one phase would be completed on January 23 and another phase would be held after the civic polls. In the first phase of reshuffle, 14 members would be inducted and in the second phase, 4 members would be given the Cabinet berth, sources added.

In Monday’s meeting held at his residence at about 5 pm, ministers like Prithibi Majhi, Tanka Bahadur Rai, Nilomoni Sen Deka, Rokibul Hussain, Rajib Lochon Pegu, Gautam Roy, Ajanta Neog, Dr zrul Islam, Khorsingh Ingti, Basanta Das and Ajit Singh were present and all of them tendered their resigtion.

On the other hand, Prati Phukan met the Chief Minister at noon and tendered her resigtion. Akon Bora, who was not present in the council of ministers’ meeting, persolly submitted his resigtion letter to the Chief Minister later in the day. Pradyut Bordoloi tendered his resigtion earlier.

With the resigtion of all the ministers, a discussion on the induction of new members in the Cabinet has gained momentum at Dispur. Sources said that Rockybul Hussain, Ajanta Neog, zrul Islam, Khorsing Ingti, Basanta Das and Ajit Singh, who were resigned in the Monday’s meeting, are likely to get the Cabinet berth again.

They would get Cabinet berth due to the party’s relatively good performance in their constituencies in the last Lok Sabha elections, sources added.  

Party sources further claimed that another eight new faces – Bhumidhar Barman, Sarat Borkotoky, Chandan Sarkar, Sukkur Ali, Etawa Munda, Bismita Gogoi, Sumitra Patir and Girindra Mallick – would likely to get Cabibet berth.

The mes of another four members would be decided after the civic polls, sources said, adding that the four members would be chosen based on their record of performance.

On the issue, PHE Minister Gautam Roy said, “We all resigned today to pave the way for reconstitution of the ministry. I am a loyal soldier of the Congress and I am ready to play any role that is given to me.”