Gogoi elected CLP leader

Guwahati, May 13 (UNI) Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi was today reelected unanimously by the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) and will take the oath of office of Chief Minister on May 17.

His election was just a formality as the 53 newly elected MLAs were elated to elect him as their CLP leader in front of AICC-in-Charge Digvijay Singh and Congress Observers Mohsina Kidwai and Chandan Bagchi.

The Chief Minister designate Tarun Gogoi then drove to Raj Bhawan to stake claim to form the next government. He was accompanied by Hagrama Basumatary, the Chief of the Bodoland Peoples' Progressive Front (Hagrama), who with 11 MLAs had pledged support to Congress in writing.

Governor Lt Gen Ajay Sinha was submitted a list of 64 MLAs of Congress and BPPF(H), besides nine other MLAs. The Governor invited Mr Gogoi to form the next government.

The Congress-led-alliance now has 64 MLAs and nine other independents had handed their letter of support to the Chief Minister. Amongst them were three rebel Congress MLAs.

The AUDF, bete noire of congress till the results were out, also offered unconditional support along with NCP to Congress. The AUDF has 10 MLAs and NCP has a lone MLA.

The Congress does not seem to be too keen on having any kind of truck with AUDF. ''If they have offered us support, we can say thank you. But Congress and BPPF (H) have the adequate numbers,'' said Congress-in-charge Digvijay Singh, taking a dig at the AUDF.

The swearing-in will take place on Wednesday next after Chief Minster Tarun Gogoi returns from New Delhi. He is leaving today to meet Congress President Sonia Gandhi to finalize the list of ministers to be included in the Cabinet.

Clamouring is on as the BPPF(H) has demanded 5 to 6 ministerial posts. The Congress is willing to give two ministerial posts along with the post of deputy speaker.

Negotiations are on and it will be resolved, said Asom Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma.

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