BJP brass may choose between Dutta and Barua

BJP brass may choose between Dutta and Barua

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Jan 18: The new president of the Assam State BJP is likely to be announced within January 20.

According to BJP sources, a four-member committee comprising national leaders of the party is examining the issue of the next Assam BJP president and it is likely to declare the person to head the party in the State within a couple of days. Venkaiah Naidu, Bal Apte, Ananth Kumar and Ram Lal are on the committee constituted by the central BJP leadership to look into the Assam BJP issue.

The four-member committee was formed after 4 BJP MPs and other leaders of the party from the State had requested senior BJP leader LK Advani not to officially name Bihali MLA Ranjit Dutta as the next Assam BJP president. The local media, citing the source provided by Ram Lal, had recently reported that Dutta was selected by the central BJP leadership as the new State BJP president.

The news of Dutta’s selection as the Assam BJP chief reportedly drew sharp reaction from majority of the State BJP leaders and workers forcing the party top brass to refrain from officially announcing Dutta as the Assam BJP president.

Sources said the four-member committee might finally choose Dutta to head the Assam State BJP.

Party leaders like V Satish and Indramoni Bora who have been supporting Dutta as the next State BJP president have good relationship with Venkaiah Naidu, Bal Apte, Ananth Kumar and Ram Lal, sources said.

Sources, however, said in view of Rajen Gohain opting out of the fray for the top State BJP post on the grounds that neither he nor Dutta should be made the Assam BJP president, the four-member committee was also considering the name of Assam BJP general secretary Nakul Barua for the post.

It may be noted here that controversy has over the last few months dogged the Assam BJP over who should head it. Though December 30 was fixed as the date for election of the State BJP president, the election was put off at the last moment leaving the matter to the central leaders of the party. Seven candidates had filed their nomination papers for the election. The Assam BJP has not only been gripped by confusion but divided into several camps as well over the delay in announcing the new party president.

“The delay in election or selection of the State BJP president could affect the party’s preparations and prospects in the 2010 BTAD election and 2011 assembly polls in the State,” said sources. THE SENTINEL