leader of Opposition in the lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday wound up his two-day visit to Assam and likely to submit a report to the party high command soon over the issue of growing dissidence among the party in Assam.
The senior Congress leader was sent to Assam along with another AICC member Ashish Kulkarni to take stock of the situation in view of the growing dissidence among the party in Assam and also to look into the demands by a section of the party leaders for a change in State leadership.
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, who has been leading the party to victory in Assam since 2001 in State Assembly polls, has been witnessing dissidence among the ranks and files of party for last two years. However, the Congress’ debacle in the recently concluded lok Sabha polls had fuelled the dissidence further with a section of party leaders demanding that Gogoi be replaced with a young leader, who can lead the Congress to victory in 2016 Assembly polls.
Kharge arrived in Assam capital on Monday and have been meeting various party leaders since then including the newly elected Congress MPs, MlAs, office-bearers of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) etc apparently to gauge the mood.
“I have met the MlAs, APCC office bearers, the leaders of district Congress committees and various grassroots leaders of the party. I have also held a detailed discussion with Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and PCC chief Bhubneswar Kalita,” Kharge said before leaving for New Delhi on Tuesday, while adding that he would submit a report to the party high command soon over his findings.
"The high command is likely to take a final decision over the matter and everyone will respect her decision. The leaders here have agreed to accept the decision of the high command-whatever it is and will work towards strengthening the party in the run-up to the 2016 polls,” he told the media on Tuesday.
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi later informed the media that Kharge, who was sent as an observer by the high command, had spoken to everyone including the group of dissident legislators. "Kharge is likely to submit his report to the party high command and accordingly a decision will be taken. At this moment it is difficult for me to comment on his report or findings. However, all the party leaders have agreed to accept the decision taken by the high command and work together to strengthen the party so that we can storm back to power in 2016 polls," said the Chief Minister.