Brindabon not to contest coming Assembly election

Guwahati, Mar 22 (UNI) Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) president Brindabon Goswami today announced that he would not contest the forthcoming Assembly elections but would canvass for the party.

Announcing this at a hurriedly called press conference here, Mr Goswami said he had taken the decision with a view to fully concentrate on campaigning for the party.

'' I want the party to accede to my decision and allow me freedom to lead the campaign. I know this might send a negative signal and hence am leaving the final decision to the party, '' he said.

Mr Goswami was expected to contest from Borosolla and Tezpur constituencies of Sonitpur.

His decision had shocked the party leadership but AGP general secretary Dilip Saikia Sonowal said irrespective of his decision, Mr Goswami would be projected as the Chief Minister if the party was elected to power.

'' The campaign period is too short and I have to fan out to every nook and corner of the state and in the next 15 days I want to give my last drop of energy for the sake of the party,'' he said.

He also stated that calculated decision had been taken for the selection of party candidates.

'' It is natural that many will be hurt, but for the sake of the region and for the sake of the party we have to sacrifice many things,'' he said.

He informed that except for three, all rebel candidates had withdrawn their nomination in favour of the official candidates.

'' We will expel the rebels from the party as per the constitution of the party and we cannot allow indiscipline.

He also announced the formation of a new committee to run the party till the election process was over.

UNI MT SJC LR RS1756