Guwahati: Governor of Assam, JB Patnaik on Wednesday approved chief minister Tarun Gogoi’s recommendation of dropping rebel ministers Dr Ardhendu Kumar Dey and Siddique Ahmed from the Council of Ministers besides approving the resignation of the health and education minister, Dr Himanta Bishwa Sarma on the recommendation of the chief minister.
Meanwhile, Tarun Gogoi allocated additional portfolios temporarily to four of the ministers after the vacancies being created by the episode of rebellion.
Food and civil supplies minister Dr Nazrul Islam has been allocated additional portfolio of health and family welfare while power and industries minister Pradyut Bordoloi has been given additional education portfolio.
Agriculture minister Nilamoni Sen Deka, has been given two additional portfolios, Irrigation and Soil Conservation while the minister of state (Independent Charge) for excise, sports & youth welfare Ajit Singh has been given Cooperation as additional portfolio. Governor J B Patnaik approved the additional allocation of portfolios to the ministers.
Reacting to the action taken against them Dr Dey and Ahmed, rebel MLAs’ leader Dr Sarma stated that injustice had been done to both the ministers as they were dropped without serving any show cause notice to them.
“Instead of dropping Dr Dey and Ahmed from the ministry, Gogoi should have focused on how to keep Sarbanada Sonowal (state BJP president) — Narendra Modi off power in Assam after 2016 assembly election,” he added.
