Patowary: New role

Guwahati, Sept. 7: Four-time legislator and two-time minister Chandramohan Patowary was unanimously elected as the leader of the Asom Gana Parishad Legislature Party here this evening.

His elevation, which was along expected lines, is significant as he will also don the mantle of the leader of the Opposition as AGP has the largest number of MLAs, 24, in the 126-member Assembly.

The name of Patowary, who represents Dharmapur constituency in Nalbari district, was proposed by Brindaban Goswami, the man he will succeed as the leader of the AGP Legislature Party. Goswami was re-elected as the AGP president for a second term on August 31.

One of the MLAs, Abdul Aziz, could not attend the meeting, but sources said he supported Patowary’s name in writing.

The chief whip’s post went to Keshav Mahanta, who pipped veteran tea community leader Joseph Toppo. The latter enjoyed the backing of Goswami, but withdrew when there was no unanimity. Mahanta’s name was proposed by Gunin Das and seconded by Pradip Hazarika.

The post of AGP Legislature Party secretary went to Hiren Das. His name was proposed by Girindra Kumar Baruah and seconded by Ramendra Narayan Kalita.

All three are first-timers in their new posts. Party sources said this was a positive development for a party desperately in need of fresh blood and ideas. All three are said to be close to the new working president, Phanibhusan Choudhury. Earlier, the post of Opposition leader was held by Goswami, that of chief whip by Patowary and secretary by Choudhury.

Soon after his election, Patowary, who is pushing 50, told The Telegraph that he would try his best to do justice to his new role. “I am grateful to my fellow MLAs in the party for their confidence in my abilities. It is a huge responsibility which I will try to discharge with the help of my party MLAs and that of other parties in the Opposition.”

He said he would focus on the problems of influx, unemployment, flood and ethnicity in the Assembly. “Not to forget peace talks with Ulfa and other organisations,” he added.

A list of the AGP’s executive body was submitted to A.K. Mazumdar, principal secretary of the Election Commission, by party general secretary Atul Bora and vice-president Hiranya Konwar. Today was the last date for submission of the list.