Rajdeep Goala's vacillation keeps Congress and BJP on tenterhooks

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

SILCHAR: Has Congress MLA from Lakhipur assembly constituency of Cachar, Rajdeep Goala, joined BJP or maintaining status quo? Ever since the revelation of the most powerful Minister HimantaBiswaSarma before the journalists at Guwahati on March 13 last about Rajdeep joining BJP sooner or later, there has been afloat speculations in the media and the political circles. This will further strengthen the saffron party and weaken the sinking base of Congress. During the last assembly elections of 2016, Congress could retain the lone seat of Lakhipur. Remaining 6 of the 7 seats of Cachar district went into the kitty of BJP.

In fact, since 1985, the Lakhipur assembly constituency with largest concentration of tea gardens has been held by Dinesh Prasad Goala, father of Rajdeep, until his demise in 2014. In the subsequent by election of 2014 and the general election of 2016, Rajdeep held aloft the winning spree of his father and Congress. This brings into focus the importance of the Lakhipur seat for Congress which will never like to lose Rajdeep Goala. From all account, this seat in the tea belt is the impregnable fortress of INC.

What has further given fillip to speculation is the stoic silence of the star Congress candidate over joining BJP, keeping all concerned guessing. He avoids media. When contacted over telephone at his Pailapool residence, Rajdeep said, 'I have not yet decided and shall take a decision at an appropriate time.' He declined to elaborate and added to say, 'I will call you later as I am at a meeting'. Here ends the talk, but leaves many questions. Congress headquarters at Silchar are also in confusion as he has been absenting himself from all party programmes. BJP leaders will not also like to open their mouth. Significantly, at the senior citizens' meet on lockdown on July 23 convened by the Deputy Commissioner, Rajdeep Goala was seen maintaining a safe distance from the saffron leaders.

State Congress Committee President Ripun Bora has in the meantime issued a letter to him to explain his stand and status in view of all sorts of stories making round in the media and the pressures being mounted by Cachar party leaders and workers. According to an insider, Rajdeep Goala is yet to give reply. He has become a riddle and an enigma for media to churn out stories. The star Congress candidate is in dilemma and weighing all pros and cons before taking a final call. Congress state president Ripun Bora, according to a source, is hardening his stand and might serve a show cause notice on him to close the chapter.

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