Supporters clash as AGP postpones chief's election

Guwahati, Aug 31 (UNI) The Asom Gana Parishad's efforts to elect a unanimous president received a jolt today when rival factions exchanged blows, which prompted to be deferred the elections till this noon.

Incumbent President Brindabon Goswami is facing opposition with partymen as a section clamoring for a change in the leadership. His detractors claimed that Goswami lacked dynamism and the AGP, Assam's main Opposition party, was losing relevance in the state politics.

AGP MLA Phani Bhusan Choudhury is in the fray for the chief's post, with the backing of a sizeable top brass of the party.

Though most of the district committees wanted to avert an election, there was no consensus for the post of the president, with supporters of both the groups creating a tensed situation at the meet venue till the wee hours today. As the tone of the triennial conclave was set for a showdown between the two heavyweights, clashes stared it as both candidates refused to budge.

Though Mr Choudhury offered to withdraw at one point of time for the sake of 'party's unity', his supporters did not let him to do so, pointing that Mr Goswami had not offered for such a 'sacrifice'.

With the meeting failing to come to 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 fight and property of the venue, the ITA Centre for Performing Arts, was also damaged. The election was finally postponed till noon.

A three-member committee had been formed for overseeing the election, which would be held at the AGP headquarters at Ambari in the city. Earlier yesterday, the delegates' session had witnessed uproarious scenes during the tabling of the general secretary's report. When outgoing general secretary Birendra Prasad Baishya read out that an earlier meet of the party had decided to work for 'coordination' of regional parties, a section workers objected and pointed that 'unification' of regional parties was decided upon and not merely 'coordination'.

The report was finally rectified.

UNI