AGP Unification move hits road-block

Guwahati, Sep 24 (UNI) Unification of Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) has hit a road-block as smaller regional parties, supposed to join it, put forth new pre-conditions.

The AGP, in its General Council meeting, had decided to unify all regional forces, but put a spanner saying that all those who will return to the parent party would not get any post for three years.

''This was not said before and is a new development. We are finding it difficult to digest,'' said AGP(P) General Secretary Hemanta Kalita.

Meanwhile, addressing a press conference here today, AGP president Chandra Mohan Patowary announced that the new central executive had kept almost the entire team unchanged, only inducting Pradeep Hazarika and Durga Das Boro as vice-presidents.

''We have finalised the Central Executive team and kept almost the entire team intact,'' he said brushing aside sceptism that reunification might not be possible because of new clauses.

''Have faith in us. We are meeting the political parties tomorrow. Both the AGP(P) and PLP as well as TGP are coming for the meeting,'' Mr Patowary said.

The TGP was guarded at the development. They welcomed the merger decision but the three year condition was seen as a political move to keep the new entrants under leash.

''We are not happy with the new development,'' said TGP Chief Atul Bora. However, he added that they would watch the AGP's next move as the latter wanted to complete the formalities by October 14, which is the founding day of the party.

Meanwhile, former chief minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta said he had no problem in serving the parent party as an ordinary member.

''I had done so in the past also and for a better future of the party, I have no problem,'' he said.

''This is a General Council decision and we will abide by that,'' said Rajya Sabha member Birendra Prasad Baishya, who is guiding the unification process expressing confidence that merger would be completed by mid-October.

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