Mahanta's shadow still looms large over AGP

Guwahati, July 2 (UNI) Still in jitters over the debacle in the last Assembly election, there is further bad news for Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) as voices of dissidence grow against the present leadership.

A section of senior leaders, who were close to former party leader Prafulla Kumar Mahanta have launched a low decibel campaign against incumbent party president Brindabon Goswami for his failure to lead the party to victory in the last state polls.

These leaders now want Mr Mahanta to participate in the proposed mega conclave to be organised by the AGP towards the end of next month. The conclave is being planned to strengthen the regionalism that is on the wane in the state.

However, Mr Goswami is opposed to the idea of having the expelled president at the conclave for anti-party activities. Party spokesman Probin Boro told the media that there was no plan to invite Mr Mahanta.

Mr Goswami and his close associates in the party believe that the AGP would not have won even the 24 seats in the Assembly polls if Mr Mahanta were in the party. ''The people of Assam did not vote AGP to power this time because they are yet to forget the misrule of the AGP regime during 1996-2001 under Mr Mahanta,'' a source close to Mr Goswami said.

Meanwhile, all eyes are on Mr Goswami as AGP supporters look to him to steer the party clear of Mr Mahanta's shadow.

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