Guwahati, Oct 19 (IANS) Assam’s ruling Congress party Saturday claimed it had achieved unity after Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi appraently won over dissident lawmakers.
A close door meeting of the Congress legislators presided over by Gogoi has finally ended a year of dissidence, party leaders said.
A Congress source said there was “high voltage drama” at the four hour long meeting as legislators took up issues plaguing their constituencies and also openly aired their grievances.
Some of the legislators had been alleging discrimination in the allotment of development funds. Some said loyalty to the chief minister had become the determining factor to secure the funds.
“There will be no dissidence amongst us from today. Our main objective is to win the maximum seats in the Lok Sabha polls next year,” Gogoi told the media.
Senior Congress legislator Anjan Dutta, who had been very vocal against Gogoi, said there was “a very positive discussion” and added that everyone had decided to work together.
“There were grievances and we aired them today,” said Dutta.
Assam Health Minister Hemanta Biswa Sarma said differences within a political party was but natural.
“Everyone raised their grievances and the chief minister gave a patient hearing to everyone,” he said.