Assam minister's resignation: Cong says dissidence not against Rahul Gandhi

New Delhi: Unfazed by rebel minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s resignation, Congress on Monday said Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi continues to enjoy a majority and dismissed suggestions that the dissidence in the state was against party vice president Rahul Gandhi.

“It is not a rebellion against Rahul at all. Whole issue is some people would not be happy with the Chief Minister. But majority are with the Chief Minister,” Congress leader Kamal Nath told reporters outside Parliament House.

Nath’s remarks came close on the heels of Sarma, friend-turned-foe of the Chief Minister, submitting his resignation to Governor JB Patnaik.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi had sent senior leader Mallikarjun Kharge as central observer to Assam last month.

Kharge had met all party MLAs as well as PCC office bearers and had submitted his report to the party President.

Last week, AICC had ruled out any change in the leadership of the state ahead of the Assembly session there.

Gogoi had also said in Guwahati that his government would continue.

Describing reports that Gogoi would be replaced soon as mere media speculation, AICC spokesman Abhishek Manu Singhvi had last week remarked: “There is nothing in all this speculation. The high command will take a decision on the matter after studying the reports of the last few months. As of now, everything remains as it is.”

PTI