Guwahati: Congress MLAs in Assam have stated that they will abide by the decision of the party high command regarding the selection of their leader in the state assembly. This comes amid criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that the Congress has become Muslim-dominated. Out of the 19 newly elected Congress MLAs, 18 are Muslims.
Debate Over CLP Leadership
The central issue revolves around whether the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader, who is also expected to be projected as the leader of the opposition, should be a Hindu or a Muslim. By seniority, Birsing Jarua MLA Wazed Ali Choudhury is the most experienced Congress legislator. The party's only Hindu MLA is first-time legislator and former NSUI state president Jay Prakash Das.
Party sources indicate that the Congress is likely to prioritize seniority and experience, in line with its secular stance. However, no official instruction has been received from the high command, even as the opening session of the 16th Assam assembly is scheduled to begin on Thursday.
NDA's Leadership Already Chosen
The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has already selected Himanta Biswa Sarma as the leader of the house, and he was sworn in as chief minister for a second consecutive term. BJP ally Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) has named Atul Bora as its leader, and he was also sworn in as a cabinet minister. Congress MLAs had anticipated a legislature party meeting before the opening session, but it did not take place.
No Decision Yet, Says APCC Working President
APCC working president and Pakabetbari MLA Jakir Hussain Sikdar confirmed that no decision has been made yet regarding the CLP leader. He stated, "Congress Legislature Party leader should have been named by now, but the reason for the delay is unclear." Congress MLAs expect their leader to be chosen soon in the presence of observers appointed by the All India Congress Committee (AICC). Sikdar emphasized that there is no internal dispute over the selection and that the matter has been left to the party high command. He added that the leadership has not yet sought the MLAs' views on this matter.
Congress's Lowest Tally and Rule Change
The Congress party won only 19 seats in the recent assembly elections, marking its lowest tally in Assam. There were initial doubts about whether it would qualify for the post of leader of the opposition. However, following a rule change last year, 13 MLAs are now sufficient for recognition, compared to the earlier requirement of 21. Assembly sources noted that the final appointment of the leader of the opposition remains at the speaker's discretion.
