Himanta move: Flutter in Cong, BJP

Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma’s attempt to join BJP touches off a seismic wave of resentment in the rank and file of both BJP and Congress.

Senior Congress leaders told Assam Times that they would look into the veracity of Pradyut Bora’s revelation that the former senior cabinet minister was desperately trying to join BJP. If it is proved, Dr Sarma would have to face the music.

They said “We would mount pressure on the party leadership to take action against Dr Sarma who has already damaged the party,”

“This is what a nefarious politics where a senior Congress leader who till the other day claimed to have the support of 50 legislators has been damaging the party with BJP support,” they told Assam Times.

Similar resentment is simmering inside BJP a day after Bora exposed the dissident Congress leader who tried his level best to dislodge Tarun Gogoi as chief minister.

BJP insiders said that they would oppose Dr Sarma’s entry at any cost who, they alleged, has been trying to get rid of CBI action in the multi crore Saradha scam.

Party leaders who refused to be named told Assam Times Political Bureau that Dr Sarma was not trying to join BJP in principle. According to them, he wanted to join the party firstly to avoid CBI in the Saradha scam and secondly to monger power after the 2016 assembly polls.

Sources said that a circle of senior leaders are tightlipped on the revelation. They want him to join the party if he really agrees to abide the party principles.

Another section of party leaders said that they would launch a statewide campaign against Dr Sarma if the party leadership accepts the move.

BJP leader Pradyut Bora on Tuesday revealed that Dr Sarma has been desperately trying to join the ruling party at the Centre to get rid of the nefarious scam. He further urged the party leadership to disallow his move forcing Dr Sarma to refuse the allegation straightly.