From Our Correspondent
Agartala: The PCC committee tasked for finalising electoral understanding with INPT held a brief meeting at Congress Bhavan here on Monday night. Almost all the PCC leaders including chairman of the committee Gopal Roy were remained present in the meeting. But the meeting could deliver expected result as opposition leader Ratan Lal Nath remained absent. Sources said, he went to a party programme at Dukli block.
However, there was a brief discussion with INPT leaders but no serious words were exchanged due to absence of opposition leader. It has been decided that the next meeting of the committee will be held on August 22 next to find an amicable solution to the deadlock over the electoral understanding.
Source close of PCC said, the INPT wants at least 15 ST reserved seats leaving only five seats for Congress. But the Congress doesn’t want to leave so many seats to the INPT considering the last Assembly election’s outcome. Interestingly, both parties want to forge alliance to take on the mighty CPM led Left Front in the next Assembly election scheduled for early next year.
Sources said, the Congress being a main opposition party may consider offering 10 ST reserved seats to consolidate the anti-left platform. There are indications the INPT may stick to demand for 12-13 Assembly segments.
It may be noted that AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi along with Luizinho Faleiro, AICC general secretary, in-charge of TPCC is scheduled to arrive next month. PCC favours to reach an electoral understanding with INPT before arrival of Rahul Gandhi. Party’s youth icon is scheduled to address a rally here to intensify Congress campaign for the much hyped Mission 2013.
