'AGP plan' to use SULFA in polls: APCC to seek EC's intervention

NEW DELHI, February 23: Rattled by the apprehension that the ruling AGP might use the surrendered ULFA cadres to rig the forthcoming polls in the State, Assam Congress party has decided to move the Election Commission of India (ECI) seeking its direction to the State Government to rein in the armed elements. The decision to approach the EC was taken by the Assam Congress Parliamentary Party at an emergent meeting here chaired by the APCC president, Tarun Gogoi and attended by all senior leaders of the party, including Manmohan Singh, disclosed the convenor of the forum, Madhab Rajbongshi. Significant, however, was the decision by the party not to have any alliance with any political party that is opposed to the IMDT Act. The move appears to have been taken to reassure the minority community on the poll eve and is aimed to further consolidate its hold in the community. The Congress Party is still holding the cards close to its chest closely monitoring the developing situation and waiting for the ruling party to make the first move. The Congress Party expects the BJP and the AGP to go in for some kind of an alliance sooner than later. Although the situation is ideal for the Assam Congress Party to strike an alliance with the Left parties, it has, however, faced opposition to such an alliance from unexpected quarters. Recently, the West Bengal Congress leaders met the State unit leadership to advise them not to go for any alliance with the CPI-M in Assam as it might affect the party in West Bengal. The two States are going to polls together. In view of the serious anti-Left mood in the Congress Party it would be difficult for Assam Congress to form an alliance with the CPI-M, admitted a senior State leader. Incidently, Tarun Gogoi has denied press reports that the CPI-M, general secretary, H B Surjeet met Sonia Gandhi in this connection. When asked for his reaction, Gogoi told the newspaper that options on forming alliance in the state was open. 'Where is the question of forming an alliance with the Left, they are still part of the ruling alliance,' he asserted. Meanwhile, a delegation of top leaders of the Assam Congress Party is meeting the Chief Election Commissioner, M S Gill on February 26, to submit a memorandum demanding Central action against the SULFA men and the secret killers in the State to ensure a peaceful election in the State. It may be mentioned that the Congress Party has raised the issue in the Parliament also calling for Central intervention before the polls. Meanwhile, the crucial meeting here also discussed in details the poll scenario in the State. It has been learnt that the party has decided to hold back the list of candidates till the eleventh hour. "We have decided to publish out list of candidates a day before the nomination process gets under way, to prevent defection by the disgruntled elements," said a Congress leader. Meanwhile, a delegation of the Scheduled Tribe Cell of the APCC, led by Biren Singh Ingti met the AICC president demanding reservation of either Morigaon or Batadrabha seats for candidates belonging to the Tiwa community. The seven-member delegation impressed upon the AICC high command to nominate candidates belonging to the Deuri community in the four constituencies of Dhokuwakhana, Dhemaji, Majuli and Jonai.