In what has triggered a speculation of growing dissension in the rank and file of the Assam government, the high-profile health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma skipped the crucial Cabinet meeting on Thursday amidst speculation about the minister being hinted by chief minister Tarun Gogoi to step down.
Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi had convened the Cabinet meeting to discuss the prevailing scenario of trouble-torn Bodoland Territorial Council and its neighbouring districts.
The agenda of the Cabinet meeting was to formulate strategy for the utilisation of `300 crore Central assistance to rehabilitate those uprooted in BTC violence.
The health minister who was present in the headquarters did not attend the meeting. Mr Sarma is said to have sent a letter to the chief minister seeking his permission to step down.
Mr Sarma, who could not be contacted in a letter to chief minister is said to have pleaded, “Sir, I offer my resignation but need an appointment to confirm my resignation.”
Asked about resignation of the minister in a press conference earlier on Thursday, Mr Gogoi refused either to confirm or deny but said, “Asked him who I am to react on his behalf.”
The local media reported that Mr Sarma has also sought permission of the Assam Assembly speaker to resign his Assembly seat. When contacted the Speaker of the Assam Assembly Mr Pranab Gogoi told this newspaper, “I have not received resignation letter of any MLA.”
The Congress insiders said that Mr Sarma’s highhanded behaviour has angered the chief minister who is believed to have been determined to reshuffle his council of ministers shortly.
Mr Sarma, who is known for his proximity with AICC general secretary Digvijay Singh and political adviser of Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Ahmed Patel, holds responsibility of three departments—-health, education and Assam Accord implementation in the Gogoi Cabinet.