Pradyut quits ahead of crucial meet

By Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, January 18: Pradyut Bordoloi resigned from the Cabinet ahead of the crucial meeting of the council of ministers convened by Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi as part of the reshuffle exercise.

All ministers are likely to be asked to tender their resigtion during tomorrow’s meeting, sources said.

Sources said Bordoloi, who had with him the key portfolios of power, industry and commerce, would not be able to be present at the meeting due to “uvoidable circumstances” and so he had sent his resigtion to the Chief Minister.

The new council of ministers is likely to be sworn–in this week.

Eight sitting ministers are on their way out. Besides, Bordoloi, the other ministers who will face the axe are Prithibi Majhi, Tanka Bahadur Rai, Prati Phukan, Gautam Roy, Nilamonisen Deka, Akon Bora and Rajiv Lochan Pegu. It is learnt that the Congress high command has approved the new list of ministers.

Meanwhile, though there were indications of a fresh rebellion within the Congress yesterday, the voices have toned down on Sunday. APCC chief Anjan Dutta had on Saturday held meetings with the ministers who are likely to be removed, and that might have helped douse the flames of rebellion.

Speaking to reporters, Goutam Roy ruled out dissidence in the party and said, “I have been a minister for 19 years. Now, I will be just an MLA. It is not necessary to be a minister to work for development. But files of Barak Valley should not be held back.”

AICC secretary Bhupen Kumar Bora, who was earlier tipped to be in the list of new ministers, said, “All partymen have to obey the directions of the party high command and the Chief Minister. I will involve myself in more constituency works from now.”

Parliamentary secretary Rekibuddin Ahmed also denied reports of dissidence in the party. “There is no time for dissidence now. It is high time for the party workers to unite and prepare for the 2016 assembly elections,” Ahmed, who might be elevated to the rank of a cabinet minister, said.

Sources also indicated that some ministers might not attend tomorrow’s meeting and instead send their resigtions to the Chief Minister. Also, Gogoi may induct the new council of ministers in two phases, the sources hinted.