The Hindu : Front Page : Gogoi sworn in Chief Minister

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, May 15, 2006

Front Page

Front Page

Gogoi sworn in Chief Minister

Sushanta Talukdar

To expand ministry after Delhi visit

PHOTO: RITU RAJ KONWAR

TAKES CHARGE: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi being congratulated by Governor Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Ajay Singh after he was sworn in for another term in Guwahati on Sunday.

Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi was sworn in for another term on Sunday.

Governor Lt. Gen. (retd.) Ajay Singh administered the oath of office and secrecy to Mr. Gogoi at a function at the Raj Bhavan here. Mr. Gogoi becomes the first Chief Minister since 1970 to hold the post for two consecutive terms.

Later Mr. Gogoi told reporters that he would expand his Ministry after returning from Delhi. He postponed his visit to Delhi by a day and is now scheduled to leave on Monday to meet Congress President Sonia Gandhi and hold discussions.

Mr. Gogoi said he had received unconditional support of the independents too.

The BPPF, which has 12 legislators, has extended its support to the Congress.

Asom Gana Parishad president Brindaban Goswami, the former Chief Minister, Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, leader of the BJP Legislature Party Misson Ranjan Das, Bodoland People's Progressive Front (BPPF-Hagrama) chief and Chief Executive Member of Bodoland Territorial Council Hagrama Mahillary, AICC general secretary in charge of Assam Digvijay Singh, AICC observer Mohsina Kidwai, AICC secretary Chandan Bagchi, senior Congress leaders, Union Ministers from the State and leaders and legislators of both the Congress and the Bodo front were present.

Congress sources said the BPPF would be offered three ministerial berths — two Cabinet and a Minister of State with independent charge. The BPPF was initially offered the post of Speaker and two Ministers. However, it declined to accept the post of Speaker and insisted on four berths.

Speaker of the last Assembly Prithibi Majhi, who has been re-elected from Lahowal, told reporters on Saturday that he had impressed upon Ms. Gandhi that he would be happy to discharge a new responsibility as he has already served the post of Speaker for the past five years.

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