Brindabon all set to don mantle of AGP president again

Guwahati, Aug 28 (UNI) Braving all odds, Asom Gana Parishad president Brindabon Goswami is all set to retain his post during the party's seventh general convention beginning tomorrow.

The opposition party in Assam is facing serious dissension as the majority of the vocal leadership is against Mr Goswami. But the deft politician managed to fill the electoral college with his men to ensure his re-election.

''It is all up to the district committees and electoral colleges.

If they think I am needed to run the party, I shall lead it,'' Mr Goswami told reporters.

The regional camp is looking up to a new team with a new chief, to be elected in two days from now, to redeem itself from the present irrelevance in Assam politics.

''Our main aim is to strengthen the party and get everyone on board and be the main party of Assam by uniting all non-Congress and non BJP forces,'' Mr Goswami added.

Ironically, he was held responsible by the majority for taking the party to near oblivion and on a fast track of self destructive mode.

Master of words but seen as a weak leader, Mr Goswami is all set to win another term of presidenship although there are challengers in the form of his long time friend, Chandra Mohan Patowary.

The party is broadly divided into two camps--one supporting Goswami and the other supporting Mr Patowary, who had served the state as a four time MLA and two time minister.

''The party and the state want a new leader, which can carry forward AGP's image in the changing and difficult situation and establish it as the main political party of Assam,'' Mr Patowary said adding for that everyone from the regional camp should come together.'' The party concluded all the district committee conventions and formed new committees. The new representatives will actually be the main chunk of the electoral college.

The AGP, being a party born after the Assam Accord, derives keen interest from the common man as hundreds of supporters and party functionaries have started descending from all parts of the state.

Despite losing successive elections, the AGP still commands a popularity in the Brahmaputra valley. The ruling Congress is keenly observing the developments.

The presidential election is slated on August 30. The AGP has 52 district units and most of them would select a new body by tonight.

Each of the district committees will send eight delegates to the party conference, while each of the frontal organisations will send seven delegates.

UNI