According to senior Congress party sources here, the struggle to emerge as number two in the cabinet and seal the succession issue has intensified to such an extent that both the ministers organised major public events of their respective ministries at the same time yesterday and invited Gogoi to be the chief guest.
The 76-year-old Gogoi obliged both even as it meant that people in one of the programme were left waiting for his arrival and guests at the other place had his company only for around half an hour.
The youth leaders are Minister for Health, Family Welfare and Education Himanta Biswa Sarma and the Minister for Energy, Industry and Commerce Pradyut Bordoloi.
Both have been part of Gogoi's ministry since 2001, when he first formed a government in Dispur.
The Congress has been in power uninterruptedly since then and won the assembly polls for the their consecutive time in May 2011.
"It is basically a game of one-upmanship. Both are young, ambitious and also effective administrators but neither is willing to see the other emerge as a favourite and would love to see himself in the saddle," a senior party leader said.
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While Sarma could not be contacted for his comments, Bordoloi refuted any suggestions of discord. "All news about discord are mere speculation. All of us are united behind Gogoi and his leadership is undisputed and we will not allow any such plans (leadership change)," he told PTI.
Bordoloi added, "There is no question of any succession issue and Gogoi will remain the Chief Minister and the Congress party in Assam will march ahead under his leadership.". (more)