Guwahati, July 3: Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) chief Brindaban Goswami today appeared unfazed by yesterday?s ?in-camera? session between foes-turned-friends Prafulla Kumar Mahanta and Bhrigu Phukan at the circuit house.
For the first time in more than a decade, the former chief minister and home minister had a one-to-one meeting, sources close to them said. They discussed intra-party affairs under Goswami?s leadership, leaving the political landscape abuzz with all kinds of speculation.
The sources said the duo had serious objections to the omission of several senior leaders in the 12-member steering committee of the party floated by Goswami on Wednesday.
Goswami, however, was unperturbed by the development, describing the meeting as one between two partymen. ?What is there to feel bad or worried about? After all, they belong to the same party. I had also met Durga Das Boro and Utpal Dutta. So what does that mean? There is no end to speculation,? he said.
On the duo?s exclusion from the steering committee, Goswami said it was a collective decision.
?A lot of people are involved in such crucial decisions,? he said, while shooting down accusations of being autocratic. ?Please don?t forget that I am a democratically-elected office-bearer,? he added.
The AGP leader, however, did not let go of the opportunity to play the leader of the Opposition, picking chief minister Tarun Gogoi for special treatment.
?This government has no responsibility towards the people. The chief minister can?t even decide on his ministry without consulting New Delhi. This is a very bad precedent,? he said.