Guwahati, May 11: For all the trouble that Opposition parties in Assam had been taking to find a consensus Rajya Sabha candidate, there is now a glut of contenders and unsubstantiated claims of support to match their aspirations.

A section of AGP legislators today threatened to defy the party whip if they were not taken into confidence before finalising the party’s stand on Rajya Sabha nominations.

Sources said the legislators went into a huddle at different resorts on the outskirts of the city throughout the day, turning the nomination process into a cloak-and-dagger political drama.

There was more than a hint of trouble in the Assam United Democratic Front, too. Party members said they were confused about the practicality of the leadership’s stand of backing an “apolitical” candidate. A section of the rank and file suggested that someone from the party’s think tank should be chosen.

An AGP team, headed by Chandra Mohan Patowary, held a string of meetings with leaders of the AUDF and the BJP leadership since last night. The meetings remained inconclusive because none of the parties was willing to accept a “consensus candidate” other than one from its ranks.

The AUDF and the BJP individually made it clear that they would not support one other’s candidate.

Only three days remain for nomination papers to be filed for the two seats that will become vacant in June. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is seeking another Rajya Sabha term from the state, which means all other aspirants are realistically focusing only on the seat that will be vacated by BJP leader Indramoni Bora.

Sources said former AGP minister Hiranya Konwar was lobbying with the party leadership to nominate him.

Konwar was unavailable for comment, but an aide said he would contest the seat as an Independent if the AGP ignored his request.

Reports of more AGP leaders obtaining nomination forms did the rounds till late this evening. But returning officer G.P. Das said these were just rumours.

An outsider added to the nomination drama within the Opposition by claiming this evening that at least 20 legislators from various parties and the ranks of Independents would support him. Businessman Mahavir Jain, president of the Kamrup Chamber of Commerce, also said he would file his nomination only if he emerged as the “consensus Opposition candidate”.