GP president yet to be shown the door

Guwahati, Sep 1 (UNI) After the party's virtual white-wash in the last two elections, the Asom Gana Parsihad's (AGP) incumbent president Brindabon Goswami's exit had been signalled with the leader handing over responsibility 'temporarily' to vice-president Joseph Toppo.

Party spokesperson Apurba Kumar Bhattacharya today confirmed that Mr Goswami had temporarily transferred the responsibility. '' This has been done so that work of strengthening the organisational base progresses without any hiccups during his absence,'' he said.

Mr Goswami had handed over party reigns to Mr Toppo till September 10. Mr Bhattacharya added that the president might return earlier than the slated date.

This is being seen as an indication that Mr Goswami would relinquish either his party leadership or his post as the leader of the Opposition. Moreover, the fact that he had not handed over responsibilities during his earlier absences had fanned the speculation.

The party spokesperson reminded that now-expelled erstwhile president Prafulla Kumar Mahanta had also transferred power temporarily during his term.

Mr Goswami had been under criticism from all quarters within and outside the party for the AGP's failure to capitalise on the Congress' shortcomings during the previous tenure.

Mr Toppo is believed to be a Goswami loyalist. But the current trends had indicated that the leaders who had backed Mr Goswami for the AGP president's post in the wake of Mr Mahanta's expulsion, were distancing themselves from Mr Goswami.

Mr Goswami's 'weak leadership' and 'wrong alliances' were being constructed as reasons behind the party's dismal performance in the elections.

Mr Bhattacharya also blasted the Congress-led government for 'failing' to face the drought-like situation in the state and demanded adequate compensation for the farmers.

He pointed out the gross irregularities found in the education department and allotment of medical seats. ''It exposed the government's corrupt nature after the Congress returned to power on plea of transparency,'' he added.

UNI SG KK DB1720