Guwahati: Amid immense speculation over the Chief Ministerial candidates in next year's Assembly elections in Assam, former Minister Rakibul Hussain said that he is on board with one-time party mate Himanta Biswa Sarma becoming the Congress party's candidate for Assam Chief Minister.
However, the former forest minister, who took part in a protest against the saffron brigade's privatization of the LGBI airport in Guwahati's Borjhar, clarified that it is his own 'personal opinion'.
"I would welcome Sarma if he returns and becomes the chief ministerial candidate of our party. But it is my personal opinion," Rakibul Hussain said, adding that he has no intention to become the chief ministerial candidate of the Congress.
Talking to media persons, Hussain also informed that the Grand Old Party is going ahead with its bid to cement its ties with the Badaruddin Ajmal-led AIUDF party for a 'grand alliance' ahead of the polls.
"Discussion on forging a pre-poll alliance with all non-BJP parties is going on. We are also mulling on the prospect of aligning ourselves with several non-political outfits in the state in our bid to unseat the BJP from power in the upcoming elections," Hussain stated.
Rakibul's pronouncement comes days after Tarun Gogoi, Congress veteran and 3-time former Chief Minister of the State, suggested that the saffron alliance is eyeing to prop up retired Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi as the next Chief Minister candidate, in 2021.
The 3-time former Chief Minister said that he had heard from "sources" that Ranjan Gogoi's name is there in the list of the BJP's candidates for the chief minister's post.
The former CJI, however, has condemned the former Chief Minister's statement and termed it as a "rumour." Stating that he has not been approached by any political party to be a part of active politics, Ranjan Gogoi also clarified to media that he does not have any "political aspirations."