New Delhi, July 3: The downsizing of the Tarun Gogoi ministry has entered its decisive stage with the AICC in-charge for Assam Digvijay Singh announcing tonight that the formation of the new team is almost complete. Emerging from an hourlong meeting with chief minister Gogoi, held at Assam Bhawan late this evening, the former Madhya Pradesh chief minister said the list was more or less complete. ?There will be no further meetings on the issue. It is now for the chief minister to announce his ministerial team,? he said.
Singh, who had met Gogoi on Thursday, yesterday interacted with MPs and MLAs from the state to hear their views.
The AICC, it is learnt, has asked the Congress MPs from the state to nominate at least one MLA from their district who should be inducted into the new team. A group of MLAs camping here has asked the PCC and the AICC to ensure that at least 40 per cent of the council of ministers should be new faces.
Earlier, Gogoi also held an hourlong meeting at 10, Janpath with party president Sonia Gandhi. Senior Congress leaders, Singh, Motilal Vora and Ambika Soni were also present in the meeting.
Gogoi, who was supposed to return to Guwahati today, will be returning tomorrow and announce the list after consultation with a few close aides. ?The list will be announced any time now,? an aide said.
According to the 97th Amendment to the Constitution, Gogoi will have to drop 16 ministers and the exercise has to be completed by Wednesday.
Mizo resignation: With only four days before the July 7 deadline for downsizing ministers, Mizoram?s minister of state for prison and printing and stationary K. Vanlalauva said in Aizawl today that he was drafting his resignation letter and would submit it on Monday, reports PTI.
Vanlalauva, a former underground leader and close aide of the chief minister Zoramthanga, said he had already expressed his decision to the latter on Friday.
Ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) sources said he was the most likely candidate for the post of the deputy Speaker.
Election to the post of deputy Speaker would be held on Wednesday when the Assembly?s monsoon session begins.
Vanlalauva, however, did not know about the decision of his other colleagues.
Zoramthanga said he would downsize his ministry by dropping three ministers before the expiry of the deadline.