Kolkata: In an effort to quell the ongoing rebellion in Assam, the Congress party sacked two rebel ministers and accepted the resignation of health and education minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
“The minister for irrigation and soil conservation minister Ardhendu Dey and minister of state (independent charge) for cooperation and border area development Siddique Ahmad has been fropped from the council of ministers for indiscipline. Himanta Biswa Sarma’s resignation has also been accepted,” Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi’s office said.
Both Dey and Ahmad, along with Sarma, have been vocal in challenging Gogoi’s leadership. They have been charged with “going against” the government and also with “anti-party” activities.
The crackdown on dissidents came after the Congress high command, specifically Rahul Gandhi, fully endorsed Gogoi’s leadership and sought to send the message that the rest of the rebels must fall in line and reconcile with the Chief Minister.
“Rahul Gandhi is absolutely unwilling to replace Gogoi with Sarma, considering his past. The party is fully behind Gogoi, and they do not find any reason to replace him,” said a Congress leader, known for his proximity with Rahul Gandhi.
Even the All India Congress Committee (AICC), the central decision-making body of the party endorsed Gogoi’s decision to terminate the ministers. “AICC wanted a settlement of the rebellion immediately. But the dissidents continued to stand their ground, leaving AICC with no option but to act tough,” said a committee member.
Gogoi for his part has tried to reach out to the rebels and has offered a discussion on issues raised by them. “He is open to discussion and sort out the problems with all concerned. If there are issues it concerns everyone and should be sorted in a more amicable way,” said a source close to Gogoi.
This development comes in the wake of at least seven dissident legislators writing to Gogoi to say they repose faith in his leadership.
Congress party is expected to take a similar view on rebellion in other states like Maharashtra, where senior leader Narayan Rane is in a public sulk over not being projected as the party’s chief ministerial candidate for the state elections later this year.
