AGP shut doors for reunification

Guwahati, June 7 (UNI) The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) today firmly shut the door for any possible reunification with the breakaway faction-- AGP(P).

Addressing a press conference here today, AGP President Brindabon Goswami literally refused to recognize the existence of the AGP(P) saying that the leaders of that party had problems with the AGP set up and hence they had walked out and formed a separate party. ''So question of reunification does not exist,'' Mr Goswami said.

The AGP(P) contested in 99 seats in the Assembly elections and won in just one seat. Former Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta is reportedly keen to come back to the mother party.

According to political circles, there is open demand within the AGP party about the possible reunification of the two parties. The split had cost dearly to the AGP as they lost as many as 19 seats for division of votes.

Briefing the newsmen about the just concluded AGP central executive, party president Brindabon Goswami owning moral responsibility of defeat of the party announced formation of a three member committee to find out the mistake of the party.

The committee comprising Dr Deba Dutta Barkataki, Mr Dulal Barua and Mr Anup Phukan would submit the report within a month.

Further to gauge the ground situation about the expelled party leaders just before the polls, five separate committees would go to block level and submit a report. He, however, did not give direct reply whether they would be taken back.

The AGP has also decided to have a meeting of the party and other regional forces by August to give new direction to the party.

Mr. Goswami asserted that regionalism had not become irrelevant in Asom and the party would come back with full strength.

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