Asom RS seats: One for PM, fight for the other
Guwahati, Apr 29 (UNI) With two Rajya Sabha members from Asom completing their term in June, Asom is bracing up for some hectic politicking.
While the stage appears to be set for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to get elected to the Upper House from Asom for the fourth consecutive time, bickering has started for the second seat, which will fall vacant when state BJP leader Indramoni Bora's term expires.
With 53 seats in the 126-member Assembly, the ruling Congress has enough votes to ensure Dr Singh his fourth Rajya Sabha term from the state.
Added to the 53 votes are the 12 seats of the Bodoland People's Progressive Front (Hagrama Mohilary faction) and one from the NCP, which are already a part of the ruling Congress-led alliance in the state.
Even though the announcement is yet to be made officially, the Congress insiders have hinted that Dr Singh is certain to be reelected to the Rajya Sabha.
However, a tussle is on the cards for the second seat, currently being held by the BJP.
Despite being the single largest party in the Opposition camp, it will not be easy for the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) to have an edge without the support from the Asom United Democratic Front (AUDF) and BJP, having ten seats each.
Having 24 votes, the AGP is already on the job to seek support from the Opposition camp.
AGP
president
and
Opposition
leader
Brindabon
Goswami
told
UNI,
''
We
have
not
decided
about
the
candidate.
But
we
are
holding
parleys
with
other
parties.
The
AGP
central
executive
committee
will
sit
in
a
few
days,
and
then
we
will
decide
on
the
candidate'
whether
to
field
our
own
or
support
an
unanimous
Opposition
candidate.
''
MORE
UNI