Gogoi not retiring from politics

Guwahati, Feb 10 (PTI) Assam Chief Minister TarunGogoi today asserted that he was not retiring from politicsand the challenges posed by the Opposition had made himresolute to return the Congress to power for the thirdconsecutive term.

''''I am not retiring now. The Opposition has challengedme and this has made me feel younger. I accept their challengeand we firmly believe that it will be our party which willreturn to power'''', Gogoi told reporters here.

''''It is not that I am being projected as the ChiefMinister. We are not bothered about who is going to be theChief Minister'''', he added.

The Chief Minister asserted he has been in ''''politicsfor a long time and the people of Assam will decide my fate''''.

The statement made by Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) thatthey will win around 50 to 60 seats in the forthcoming pollsand if they lose ''''it will be due to tampering of EVMs by theruling party is nothing but ridiculous. The stark reality isthat AGP is a losing party and the people of Assam do nothave any faith in it'''', Gogoi said.

Asked whether former AGP MP and students'' leaderSarbananda Sonowal''s joining the BJP would affect theCongress, the Chief Minister claimed it was not a matter ofconcern for the party.

''''Surprisingly, it was the same Sonowal who was thecommon candidate of the AGP-BJP in the last Lok Sabhaelections and he had to taste defeat at the hands of theCongress candidate'''', Gogoi added.