Guwahati, Aug. 13: Multi-tasking Tarun Gogoi today got a vote of confidence from the Congress high command as home minister, never mind the bloodbath in Assam and a growing band of colleagues who believe that he is not up to the task.

The rationale behind the message to the lobbyists asking for Gogoi’s burden to be eased is that a change would mean conceding “defeat” to militant groups.

The high command asked those arguing for someone younger in the home department to help the chief minister do the job well instead of carping about his inability to handle multiple responsibilities.

An AICC member who liases with the PCC said Sonia Gandhi was against any change in the government “at this crucial juncture”.

The endorsement from 10 Janpath came in the wake of another hate campaign against Hindi-speaking people, this time in Karbi Anglong district.

Militants of the Karbi Longri North Cachar Hills Liberation Front and Ulfa have killed 29 of them, including children, since Wednesday.

The AICC member confirmed that a group of MPs suggested appointing a “full-time” home minister, arguing that Gogoi had too much on his plate to be able to focus on law and order.

Some younger ministers in the government could henceforth assist Gogoi, who also holds the finance, PWD and sports portfolios, in managing the home department.

“A change of guard (in the home department) would have sent wrong signals both to our political adversaries as well as to the perpetrators of violence. At this juncture, we want to convey the message that the party and the central government are behind the chief minister and we want him to have a free hand in dealing with the situation,” the AICC leader said.

The unspecified reason for maintaining status quo is the precarious balance of power in the party. A source said the if there was to be a change, the chief minister would have to hand the home portfolio to one of his colleagues or drop one to bring in a senior legislator capable of doing the job. “The problem is, both options can trigger a power tussle.”

The hypothesis is that a veteran like Sarat Barkataky could become the axis of a parallel power centre on being included in the ministry.

There are young Turks capable of handling the responsibility, but the high command is reportedly not keen to choose one from among equals.