Re-entry of Mahanta into AGP doubtful

Guwahati, Aug 27: The chances for re-entry of expelled Founder-President and two-time Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta into Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) continued to be ambiguous with the AGP pushing back the final decision to the General House next month.

AGP President Brindabon Goswami informed newspersons here that the final decision on unification of splinter groups of the AGP would be taken before October 14, with the General House convened on September 21.

On the deliberations of yesterday's central executive meet of the AGP, he said, ''The committee on unification submitted its report and also enlisted the suggestions and recommendations of the splinter groups as well as AASU and AJYCP.'' Mr Goswami affirmed that the AGP would continue stressing on the opinion of the nationalist organisations, like All Assam Students Union (AASU) and Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP), as these groups were involved with the formation of the party.

The AASU had been demanding that Mr Mahanta should be left out from the unification process and that has emerged as a stumbling block.

Without giving a clear comment on the position of Mr Mahanta's re-entry after the AASU spanner, Mr Goswami said, ''The issue will definitely figure but a final decision can be taken only later.'' The central executive committee meeting had yesterday supported the unification move, though a tactful silence was maintained on the Mahanta issue.

The road for reconciliation and unification of all splinter groups - AGP (Progressive) of Mr Mahanta, Trinamool Gana Parishad (TGP) and Purbanchalia Lok Parishad (PLP) - has almost been cleared with the exception of the issue of Mr Mahanta.

UNI