In what has been seen as a major political development in the state’s political scenario, two-time former Assam chief minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta on Sunday bounced back as leader of the Opposition about 10 years after the party he founded had marginalised him.
Mr Mahanta was unanimously elected leader of the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) Legislature Party in a meeting, which debated the leadership issue on Saturday late night. However, it was a mere formality as AGP president Chandra Mohan Patowary had decided a month ago to quit the post of the Opposition leader to facilitate Mr Mahanta’s return at the helm of party affairs.
In dramatic developments that unfolded before his formal return into the centrestage of the party, of 24 legislators, former party president Brindaban Goswami and former minister Ramendra Narayan Kalita chose to skip the meeting that Mr Patowary presided over. “There was nothing political in absence of some of our leaders,” said Mr Patowary clarifying that party was gearing up for 2011 elections. Mr Mahanta also rejected the reports of infighting. “Our prime objective is to fight out the corrupt Congress government of the state. The party has reposed faith on me and my responsibility is to prove myself,” said Mr Mahanta being felicitated by a large number of party workers and supporters from all across the state who has started gathering at his residence since morning.
Asserting that party was united, Mr Mahanta told this newspaper, “We have very limited time to go for the elections and my aim would be to strengthen the party at the grassroot level.” The party has already formed a team of senior party leaders to prepare the future strategy of the party.
If turn out of AGP supporters and leaders at former chief minister’s residence was any indicator, Mr Mahanta’s return into the centrestage of the AGP, is bound to rejuvenate the party in this elections year.
Mr Mahanta and AGP president Patowary left for Upper Assam’s Tinsukia district to launch a mass contact programme.