Guwahati, Oct. 9: In an apparent move to prevent the power tussle within the Assam PCC from reaching the point of no return, AICC general secretary Mohsina Kidwai today announced that the much-delayed Congress co-ordination committee would be constituted in a few days.
Kidwai had announced the formation of the committee soon after Paban Singh Ghatowar’s appointment as PCC president early this year to serve as a link between the party and the government. The demand for the committee was raised by the Ghatowar camp to keep a check on the government.
The chief minister showcased the achievements of his government before Kidwai, while his detractors lost no time in highlighting the government’s “failures”.
“The committee will be set up in a couple of days to help both the party and the government work as a cohesive unit,” Kidwai told a news conference.
The decision to set up the committee was taken with an eye on the next general elections, she said. The committee will comprise members from the party as well as ministers. Having appeased the Gogoi-baiters, Kidwai, in a fine balancing act, praised Dispur for performing “exceedingly well” in a little over a year, despite constraints. She cited the holding of the panchayat elections, improvement in the law and order situation and the near-regularisation of salaries of government employees as Gogoi’s achievements.
Gogoi, who was present at the news conference, said compared to Delhi, the law and order situation in Guwahati was far better. On allegations of corruption in the government, Gogoi said this had been contained to a great extent. “There have been no complaints from the Opposition on corruption in the Assembly,” he said.
On the government’s handling of the infiltration issue, the chief minister said the problem required the Centre’s full attention.
Kidwai branded the BJP-led NDA as the “weakest” government at the Centre, one that had failed in all respects.
“This is the reason why the country is facing all kinds of problems. They are disintegrating the country and destroying the communal harmony in the country. This government does not believe in democracy and secularism,” Kidwai said.
