To prevent exodus, Gogoi mulling ministry expansion!

By Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, Sept 3: Faced with a crisis in the party, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi may induct five new ministers in the cabinet, apparently to appease some disgruntled legislators.

Gogoi, according to sources, is also likely to drop one minister - Girindra Mallik - and replace him with Gautam Roy who is said to be more "influential" in Barak Valley.

While Gogoi recently met Rahul Gandhi, State Congress president Anjan Dutta was summoned by Sonia Gandhi to discuss the latest developments in the State unit.

The move to fill the four vacant berths in the council of ministers is aimed at ensuring that no more damage is done by disgruntled party legislators.

There are speculations that deputy speaker Bhimanda Tanti, MLA Durlav Chamua, parliamentary secretary Rekibuddin Ahmed and former minister Siddique Ahmed may be inducted in the council of the ministers.

Besides, a few legislators like Kamalakhya Dey Purukayastha may be appointed as parliamentary secretaries, sources said.

To a question as to whether there would be a ministry expansion in the State, State party president Anjan Dutta said, "It is a prerogative of the Chief Minister. But yes, we will take all measures to strengthen the party in the run-up to the 2016 assembly elections."

After the exit of Himanta Biswa Sarma, there are reports that nearly a dozen Congress legislators are preparing to follow suit and join the BJP.