Credited with bringing insurgent group ULFA to the negotiating table and hauling Assam back from the brink of bankruptcy, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has combined administrative and political acumen with his simple demeanour to help Congress retain power for a record consecutive third term.
Behind the genial smile and a straight-forward approach of 75-year-old Gogoi, who has also served as a Union Minister and six terms in Lok Sabha, lies a man who means business when it comes to development of Assam.
The highlight of Gogoi's ten-year rule in the past was bringing several militant outfits of the state, including the ULFA, to the negotiating table and ensuring financial stability of the state government.
Gogoi had taken over the reins of power for the first time on May 17, 2001, from the Asom Gana Parishad and was faced with the challenge of bringing the state out of the morass of militant violence and financial instability characterised by a huge debt burden, so much so that even government employees were not receiving their salaries on time.
Gogoi's initiative in this direction paid dividends and Congress returned to power for the second consecutive term, albeit with lesser seats and he formed the government in alliance with its coalition partner Bodoland Peoples' Front (BPF) in 2006.
Gogoi's second term as Chief Minister was a mix of high and low with the multi-crore North Cachar Hills fund diversion case causing embarrassment to Congress. However, he overcame it by bringing several militant organisations like the ULFA, NDFB (Pro-talk group), DHD, UPDS and others to the negotiating table.
