AGP MLA Pradan Baruah joins Congress

NEW DELHI, April 12: The AGP-BJP alliance today claimed its first casualty with the ruling Regional Party's sitting Jonai MLA, Pradan Baruah here today joining the opposition Congress party in protest over the poll pact. The AGP MLA's induction into the Congress party came even as the party's central screening committee (CSC) today completed its preliminary sitting , clearing one-third of the candidates for the forthcoming Assembly polls. Congress party leadership here claimed that Baruah might not be the lone such case, as they have been flooded with feelers from 'disgruntled' elements belonging to both the AGP as well as the BJP. Earlier, Baruah was inducted into the Congress party by the APCC president, Tarun Gogoi at his 3 Teen Murti Lane residence in presence of a host of Congress leaders. 'In view of the AGP aligning with the communal BJP, I have decided to join the Congress party. I have full faith and confidence in leadership of the Indian National Congress headed by Sonia Gandhi. I have also full faith and confidence in the leadership of Tarun Gogoi,' his application said. A jubilant APCC president said they welcome the senior leader from the AGP into the party fold. 'Since the signing of the poll pact we have received encouraging number of feelers from rival parties including several sitting MLAs,' he said, declining to divulge names at this stage. But party insiders indicated that those who have made contact with the Congress party includes several leaders belonging to minority communities as well as sitting MLAs who stand to loose their seats to the BJP. Party sources said though Pradan Baruah has joined unconditionally, it is likely that he may be the Congress candidate for Jonai LAC. The moves they feel would encourage open the floodgate of exodus from the regional party. It may be mentioned that Jonai LAC, which Baruah represented was among the 10 constituencies that were marked for friendly contest between the AGP and the BJP. Meanwhile, the CSC today began its screening process, which is expected to be completed in a day or two. The meeting was chaired by Madhav Rao Scindia, Kamal Nath, Jagdish Tytler, Onam Deuri, Tarun Gogoi and Silvius Condpan.