Even after repeated attempts for a week, Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi has not been able to work out any formula to declare his 18-member council of ministers in Assam. This has not only increased the nervousness of
aspirants but has also enhanced the agony of the veteran Congress ministers likely to be dropped from the third term of the party in Assam due to old age or non-performance.
If insiders are to be believed, Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi, grappling with the problem of plenty of legislators this time, is in a fix over the recommendation of the Central leadership to accommodate Debabrata Saikia, a first-timer and son of late chief minister Hiteswar Saikia.
Against the backdrop of Andhra Pradesh where the party antagonised the son of late chief minister Y. Rajasekhar Reddy and included Prema Khandu, son of late chief minister Dorjee Khandu, in the Arunachal Pradesh Cabinet, the Central leadership of the party has suggested the inclusion of Mr Saikia.
However, taking Mr Saikia into his council of ministers would be a serious embarrassment for Mr Gogoi, who went on record to say that first-timers should not expect ministerial berths.