GUWAHATI, Dec 17 ? The ruling Congress today claimed to have inched closer to form the council in Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) with support from two of the three newly-elected Independent councillors. Minister of State for Planning and Development Himanta Bishwa Sharma today presented two Independent councillors Asadullah Seikh and Brojen Das before media persons at his official chamber in Janata Bhawan here this afternoon. Both the councillors stated that they had decided to support Congress in the GMC.
On the basis of the support extended by these two Independent councillors, the Congress has exuded confidence to install its Mayor in the GMC before the New Year?s Day. Sharma claimed that Congress was also in touch with the third Independent member Arjun Chetri as well as the NCP member. He claimed to have met Trinamool Gana Parishad (TGP) leader Atul Bora to know the party?s stand. The TGP leader told the Congress leader that although the party?s councillor would not support the AGP in GMC, it was yet to decide on its stand vis-?-vis Congress.
?With the support of two Independent councillors, Congress which already emerged as the single largest party by winning 27 seats out of 57 seats, will be able to form the council in the GMC by the New Year?s Day,? Sharma said. He pointed out that the AGP and the BJP which have 12 and 13 councillors in the GMC respectively, had not yet staked claim to form the Council in the GMC so far. ?Even if they decide to have an alliance they won?t be a match for Congress in number games,? Sharma said.