Congress denies rumour on Sushmita's resignation

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

SILCHAR: A tense but hushed situation prevails in the Cachar Congress headquarters — Rajiv Bhavan here — after social media has been trending with the report that Sushmita Dev, president of the 'All India Mahila Morcha' of the party and former MP, has resigned from Congress and sent the resignation letter in this regard to party high command — Sonia Gandhi.

Sushmita Dev has not been at comfort with the leadership at Delhi and Guwahati over the selection of candidates for the Assembly seats, ignoring her suggestions.

A press communiqué from the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee on Saturday evening denied the reports of Sushmita's resignation from the party. "We want to make it clear that Sushmita Dev has not resigned from the party," said the communiqué.

A source in the party here said that the resignation of Sushmita Dev has not been accepted by the party high command. Rather, she has decided to fly to Delhi and meet Sonia Gandhi there for taking a final call on the Borkhola seat. This seat is winnable for the Congress but not with Rumi Nath, feels Sushmita.

Responding to journalists' question on resentment inside the party over the candidates' selection, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi said that the Congress is a democratic party; and thus, it respects the opinion of each and everyone. "There could be discussion and debate inside the party. Finally, we reach a consensus," added Gogoi.

Former MP Sushmita was aggrieved in particular, according to her close confidants, over the selection of Rumi Nath, as a candidate from Borkhola constituency. Sushmita has been projecting Papan Deb for the Borkhola seat.

Rumi Nath had switched her loyalty between the Congress and the BJP, and was expelled from the Indian National Congress (INC) along with Rajdeep Gowala a few months ago.

Another ground of dissent with Delhi and Dispur leadership for Sushmita Dev is the party's opposition to CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act). The Congress will find it tough on the Barak poll turf due to overwhelming support of the people in favour of CAA. It is significant to remember that during the visit of Congress leader Jairam Ramesh here more than a year ago, a memorandum was presented on behalf of Barak Congress to him, urging the top most party hierarchy not to oppose CAB (Citizenship Amendment Bill) in the Parliament. It is now being watched with interest if any decision is taken to give nomination to Papan Deb.

Some describe the resignation letter of Sushmita Dev as a tactical move to put pressure on the selection of her candidate for the Borkhola seat.

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