Brindabon retains AGP chief's post; to quit as Leader of Opposition

Guwahati, Aug 31 (UNI) Brindabon Goswami retained the top post of Assam's main Opposition party Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) after two and half days of hectic lobbying, confabulations and strife among the party ranks, which even brought the two warring groups to blows.

Election to the post was dismissed at the last moment after final round of negotiations between the candidates, Mr Goswami and Mr Phani Bhusan Choudhury, resulted in paving way for a unanimous selection, in keeping with the sentiments of the party workers for avoiding an election.

The post of an executive president was created for Mr Choudhury, an MLA from Bongaigaon, after he decided to step down.

Though Mr Goswami retained the president's post for the second consecutive term, he announced resigning as the Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly within the next seven days.

The AGP legislators would meet in the meantime to elect a new leader in the House. Another AGP president post's aspirant Chandra Mohan Patowary's name has emerged as a front-runner for the Leader of the Opposition's post.

The triennial conclave of the AGP had failed to elect its president yesterday as was originally slated.

Negotiations to arrive at a consensus candidate had eluded the party till late last night.

With the meeting failing to come on a decision, a section of party workers who had been waiting outside lost patience and at about 0200 hours, stormed into the venue.

Several party workers were injured in the mayhem and property of the venue, the ITA Centre for Performing Arts, was also damaged. The election was finally postponed till this noon.

A three-member election committee oversaw the election at the AGP headquarters at Ambari in the city.

UNI