Though Pro Tem Speaker Hoping Stone Lyngdoh had earlier suggested holding of Speaker's election on March 18, Mr Lapang was learnt to have insisted on going for the floor test before election of the de facto head of the Assembly.

MPA allies on Monday slammed Mr Lapang for not agreeing to the suggestion made by the Pro Tem Speaker to hold the Assembly Speaker's election one day before the trial of strength for the MUA Government scheduled for March 19.

Interestingly, the Pro Tem Speaker has not yet notified the process of filing of nominations for the Speaker's election. There are also reports that Governor SS Sidhu has gone to Manipur and is likely to arrive at Shillong on Tuesday evening.

Talking to reporters here, NCP leader Purno A Sangma said as per convention, the job of the Pro Tem Speaker was only to administer the oath of secrecy to legislators, besides facilitating the election of the Speaker.

"According to conventions followed in the country, the Speaker should preside over the trial of strength," Mr Sangma said, adding he would raise the issue of Mr Lapang's decision to go for trial of strength before the Speaker's election on the floor of the Assembly on March 19 if the Pro Tem Speaker allowed a debate on the matter.

Mr Sangma, however, pointed out that there was nothing unconstitutional in the Pro Tem Speaker presiding over the trial of strength.

While expressing confidence of defeating the Lapang-led Government in the floor test, Mr Sangma said voting would be done through voice vote.

Meanwhile, UDP president and MPA's chief ministerial candidate Dr Donkupar Roy, while talking to newsmen after the meeting of MPA allies at his official residence here on Monday, said Congress had approached him for formation of a Congress-UDP coalition government in the State only after creation of MPA.

"Congress approached us (UDP) after formation of MPA and we told them (Cong) that it was too late. We made our point clear to them that we had reached a point of no return," Dr Roy said.

The UDP chief asserted that MPA with 31 legislators in the 60-member State Assembly would get support of more MLAs after the Speaker's election.

"All the 31 legislators of MPA have taken a pledge to continue with this alliance till the end and we stick to that," he added.

The MPA meeting was attended by 30 legislators except Independent legislator from Nongshken constituency Donkupar Massar. According to MPA sources, Mr Massar has gone to Dimapur for some personal work and was expected to arrive at Shillong on Monday night.

Congress is also making all-out effort to get the support of at least three more legislators from the MPA camp to survive the vote of confidence on March 19.

Sources informed that on Monday feelers were sent to UDP and KHNAM legislators with offers of lucrative ministerial berths for their support to the Congress-led MUA.

Mr Lapang had exuded confidence on Sundaythat Congress would triumph over rivals in the political battle.

Meanwhile, MUA nominee for Speaker's post Charles Pyngrope told The Shillong Times that he had not submitted his nominations as the Assembly authorities had not yet announced the date for filing of nominations. He said MUA was trying to rope in like-minded parties to form a stable government in the State.

MPA has nominated UDP leader Bindo M Lanong as its candidate for the Speaker's post.

Panic gripped people passing by the petrol pump amid rumour that there was a bomb inside the suitcase seen lying at the bus shed. IBTP staff also came out of their office, fearing that some miscreant might have kept a bomb in the suitcase.

The suitcase, which was found lying for more than an hour, was later taken to Mawlai Mawiong by bomb disposal squad. Police, however, found only two T-shirts and a one-rupee coin in the suitcase.

Police said some person might have forgotten the suitcase, leaving it behind at the bus shed.

JOWAI: Lone Opposition member in Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council, Moonlight Pariat has demanded restoration of the 60:40 ratio of share between the State Government and the Council in royalty generated from mineral resources of Jaintia Hills.

Raising the issue on the second day of the JHADC Budget session, Mr Pariat on Monday urged Chief Executive Member Hambertus Nongtdu to take up the matter with the State Government in order to enhance the revenue of the Council.

Share in the royalty from mineral resources between the State Government and the Council was recently reduced to 75:25 ratio from earlier 60:40 ratio.

Extending support to Mr Pariat's demand, MDC of Jowai North, JU Nongrum said 25 per cent share for JHADC is too less and it needed to be enhanced.

Mr Pariat also raised several other issues relating to bamboo, grape and tea plantation schemes and the delay in construction of the Iawmusiang market.

On the day, the House discussed Member Pension and Trading by Non-Tribal Bills which were approved by and all the 30 members in the ruling side.

The House will further deliberate on the Budget and the proposed Bills on Wednesday, the last day of the session.

SHILLONG: One traffic police personnel of Umiam police station on Monday revealed that he was seriously injured after being assaulted by Assistant Commandant of 1st MLP Batallion S Thamar at Latsharai near Umiam in Ri Bhoi district last week.

The injured policeman, Bijulian Nonglang, had to be admitted to Shillong Civil Hospital after the assault.

According to the injured cop, on last Friday evening, he was maintaining traffic on National Highway 44 at Latsharai where blacktopping was going on when a private car violating 'stopping signal' tried to make its way through the one-way road.

When all his signals to stop the car went in vain, he pelted some stones on the car, he admitted adding that the Assistant Commandant S Thamar, who was in civil dress, came out of the car and severely assaulted him.

"Mr Thamar also tore my uniform and broke the 'wireless cassette'," the traffic policeman alleged.

The Commandant also hit one boy present there at that time, he added.

It may be mentioned that The Shillong Times on Sunday carried a news item in this connection saying that Mr Thamar's car was damaged in the incident and that he reported the incident to Umiam police station.

Whoever said different political strokes for different political folks was dead on. Specially when it comes to the high Constitutional office of the Governor. Wherein handpicked loyalists do whatever their mai baaps sitting on India’s Raj gaddi want. Never mind, if the Governor has been reduced to being the Centre’s chaprasi. Governance, after all is one big nautanki which has rewritten the basic time-honoured rules of authority and turned democracy on its head. Bend them, break them, who cares!

Instances are aplenty. Circa 2008: Meghalaya, Circa 2007: Karnataka, Circa 2005: Goa, Bihar and Jharkhand. The common denominator? Each Governor interpreting or should one say misinterpreting the rule book any which way he wanted, drawing his own conclusions based more often than not on delusions as long as he and his benefactors at the Centre could rule the roost.

Meghalaya. The Governor SS Sidhu has attracted charges of unfair practice because he invited the single largest party, the Congress to form the Government while brushing aside the claims of the NCP-led Meghalaya Progressive Alliance (MPA) which had a support of 31 of the 60 MLAs before him. Earning the ire of the NCP, which moved the Supreme Court against him for "clear breach and violation of the provisions of the Constitution and the convention followed of calling a group/alliance having the majority of legislators to form the government."

Undoubtedly, Governor Sidhu was correct in inviting the Congress as it had emerged as the single largest party. Recall, 1996 when the then President Shankar Dayal Sharma had invited the BJP as it too had the maximum number of MPs. No matter, that the Saffron Sangh lost the vote of confidence in the Lok Sabha. Besides, the NCP’s post-poll alliance with other regional parties to form the MPA smacked of an afterthought to partake the crumbs of office.

At the same time, Sidhu was wrong in giving the Congress clear 10 days to prove their strength on the floor of the Assembly and inviting the charge of willy nilly being party to horse-trading that was bound to take place. Arguably, if the Congress had the numbers as claimed by it, why wait for 10 days to prove its majority in the Assembly? Is one to infer that the 30 MLAs paraded by the MPA before the Governor was a false claim? Or had the Governor followed the Centre’s diktat to invite the Congress and give it time to muster a majority.

Why blame Siddhu? Remember what Governor Rameshwar Thakur did in Karnataka last year after the BJP-JD(S) coalition paraded 129 MLAs, which is more than half of the 225-member Assembly, at Bangalore’s Raj Bhawan? Instead of doing the Constitutional right thing of reviving the suspended State Assembly and asking the BJP-JD(S) coalition to prove their majority on the floor of the House, as opined by the Supreme Court in the landmark SR Bommai judgment, first he made them wait for over a week, then stated that he had to "consult the Centre." Forgetting that the right course of action was to revoke President's rule and swear-in a BJP-led coalition Government.

Why? He had to take instructions from Delhi on what to do next. Also, most oddly, thereafter Governor Thakur, sent a ‘statement of facts’ to the Centre rather than ‘his report’ and recommendation. On the facetious plea that the BJP-JD(S) formation could lead to "horse-trading of the worst kind." Bluntly, isn’t this the MPA’s charge against the Congress in Meghalaya and yet the Governor Sidhu invited it to form the Government?

Just as his fellow Congressmen Governors SC Jamir, Buta Singh and Syed Sibtey Razi had done in 2005 in Goa, Bihar and Jharkhand. In Goa, the former Chief Minister of Nagaland, SC Jamir was handpicked by the Congress as Governor to watch out for the Party’s "interests" in the BJP-ruled Goa. In less than four months, he delivered to his "mai baaps" in Delhi what they wanted.

He dismissed the Parrikar-led BJP Government which had proved its majority on the floor of the Assembly and swore-in the Pratapsinh Rane-led Congress Government in a late night drama. Not only that. He gave Rane 30 days to prove his majority, as against three days to Parrikar. After Rane won his trust vote (rightly or wrongly), Jamir recommended President’s Rule reportedly at the behest of the Centre.

The abuse of the gubernatorial Constitutional power touched a new low in Jharkhand where Governor Syed Sibtey Razi, former Congress Rajya Sabha MP did one better in 2005. Ignoring the fact that the BJP-led NDA paraded a clear majority of 41 MLAs in the 81-member Assembly, he appointed the JMM-Congress leader as the Chief Minister on the basis of a list of 42 MLAs.

The list included two Independents who had only three hours earlier committed their support for the BJP-led NDA. Even after meeting these MLAs individually, the Governor swore-in the JMM leader, Shibhu Soren as the Chief Minister. As long as it earned Razi kudos from Delhi, it didn’t matter that his action was a gross violation of his high office. Matters didn’t rest there. The BJP leadership smuggled out its brood of 41 MLAs and paraded them before the then President Kalam at Rashtrapati Bhavan to prove the Governor’s mala fide who was summoned by the President for an explanation. In stepped the Apex Court leading to the installation of the BJP Government.

Words fail when it comes to the outrageous and unprecedented midnight dissolution of Bihar’s Legislative Assembly and continuance of President’s rule in the State. Thanks to the Centre brazenly used its jo hukam darbari Governor Buta Singh to break all the rules. When reports of the NDA inching towards formation of a Government in the State trickled in courtesy defections from the Steel Minister Paswan’s LJP, Governor Buta Singh hurriedly recommended dissolution of the Assembly, the Union Cabinet promptly accepted it and President Kalam, away in Moscow, speedily gave his assent.

Worse, Buta Singh’s action was based on bazaar gossip of horse-trading. Shattering in one fell stroke the glass ceiling of his high Constitutional office. No matter that he himself was indicted by a Court for horse-trading in the infamous JMM case.

Expectedly, this new nadir has once again raised questions about Governor’s role, his qualifications and his Constitutional obligations and duties. Raising a moot point: Are they the Centre’s chaprasis? Or, are they the keepers of the people’s faith as the Constitutional head of their respective States. Importantly, are there any laid down clear rules to underscore some semblance, coherence and uniformity in gubernatorial actions? A charter of directions and guidelines.

Sadly, in a milieu of you scratch my back and I yours, over 60% of the present lot of Governors are active politicians and the rest ‘pliable’ bureaucrats, police officers and Army Generals. Thus, the Governor, willy-nilly, has become a convenient tool of the Centre. Specially in Opposition-ruled States. He runs the administration by proxy. By playing the I-spy game---petty politricking, gross interference, open partisanship---at the Centre’s behest. Sending for files, summoning Ministers and bureaucrats. To hear, entice, provoke and register the voice of dissent against the State Government to their political patrons in Delhi. Bluntly, make life hell for the Chief Minister at every step and use it as a springboard to return to active politics.

Top experts affirm that the basic role of the Governor is not just to represent the Centre but, as the head of the State, to serve his people and fight their battles with the Centre, not vice versa. He has to bear in mind the overall national interest, not partisan party interests. The Constitution empowers him to influence the decisions of an elected Government by giving him the right "to be consulted, to warn and encourage" His role is overwhelmingly that of a "friend, philosopher and guide" to his Council of Ministers with unrivalled discretion.

As noted by Sarkaria Commission and endorsed by the Supreme Court, the Governor’s role is that of "a Constitutional sentinel and that of vital link between the Union and the State…Being the holder of an independent Constitutional office, the Governor is not a subordinate or subservient agent of the Union Government."

In sum, the office of the Governor desperately needs to be revamped and restored to its old glory. Keeping in mind the trends of coalition politics, it is time now to lay down clear rules and a charter of directions. It needs to be underscored that the ultimate test of a Party to form a Government does not lie in petty politricking by the Governor in the State’s Raj Bhawan nor in a Party parading it’s numbers before the Governor but in the Party’s ability to command a majority and win the floor test in the Assembly. All in all, we need to remember that the Governor has a distinct role in ensuring the country’s unity and the well-being of the people of his State. But he is no chaprasi or a jee huzoor. ----- INFA

Oil and food prices, soaring to new heights, have rudely shaken the world economy, already in a slowdown phase with the ongoing financial market turmoil and credit crunch related to US sub-prime mortgage crisis, which has also pushed the American economy toward a recession. While all this is having ripple effects on stock markets around the world, and the Euro-zone is hit by the spillovers, especially the falling dollar driving up the euro, as well as the price surge, there are uncertainties ahead as the US housing crisis is far from easing and jobs in the world’s largest economy are shed.

It is not clear how long all this would last and what negative impact is likely for emerging economies, especially Asian including China and India, whose dynamic growth was helping to keep the world economy afloat hitherto. While the two countries hope to maintain robust growth, even if it moderates a little, in 2008, inflation has emerged the biggest risk factor and even energy-efficient industrial economies, outside USA, can no longer absorb the ever-rising costs of oil.

Inflation has certainly outpaced other concerns for large parts of the world, not excluding the industrial economies themselves. OECD says industrial country CPI averaged 3.5 per cent, above their benchmark, in January while in USA it was 4.3 per cent with core inflation(with volatile oil and food prices) rising by 3.4 per cent year-on-year, just above the comfort zone for the central bank though FED has over the last seven months lowered short-term rates by 225 basis points to 3 per cent. Shift in US monetary policy is focused more on averting a recession.

Whatever the factors leading to oil prices crossing the 100 dollar a barrel mark in the new year – and it touched 108 dollars on March 11 – and food prices doubling or trebling, with rising demand and grain stocks at record lows, inflation has come to pose the mot serious threat to economic stability globally. China and India, major source of growing demand for energy and food, will bear the brunt of volatile oil and high food prices, which have already stoked inflation to 8.7 per cent and 5.02 per cent in the two countries respectively in February.

India’s budget, basically aimed at keeping the growth engine moving at not less than 8.5 per cent, may be under-cut by the resurgence of inflation, which cannot be easily tamed in the present global conditions. China’s consumer price inflation, mainly driven by high food prices in the wake of severe winter and snowstorms which devastated farms, had been rising from over 6 per cent in November last to hit a 12-year high of 8.7 per cent in February.

With inflation already at nine-month high of over 5 per cent in India, greater external dependence on oil as well as wheat to offset shortages for the public distribution system, would push up prices further via imports. At the same time the subsidy bill would go up reflecting Government’s inability to make a pass-through even when the Indian crude basket average has crossed the 100 dollar mark. Other essential imports like metals and edible oils with double digit rises would have the same effect on prices.

Finance Minister Mr. P Chidambaram has acknowledged that inflation management without disrupting growth would be the critical challenge in 2008-09 for both supply side and monetary policy, which is complicated by the surge in capital inflows as well as the volatile global markets. China’s Premier Wen Jiabao told the National People’s Congress (Parliament) on March 5 that fighting inflation was Government’s highest priority with a tight monetary policy. But his price target of 4.8 per cent in 2008 looks out of reach at least in the first half of the year, given the unexpected rise to 8.7 per cent rise in February.

After another double digit GDP growth at 11.4 per cent last year, Mr. Jiabao set a modest target of 8 per cent for 2008 but economists are confident, despite the price upsurge, partly seasonal, and global uncertainties, China would manage to maintain its growth momentum somewhere between 9 and 10 per cent. "We must keep a watch on global developments and take prompt and flexible measures responding to them," Mr. Jiabao said. For India, it is a difficult ‘balancing act" to maintain growth even at 8 per cent and yet contain inflation at or below 5 per cent over the year.

While India is importing inflation, manufacturers generally have not promptly responded to the Finance Minister’s appeal to hold the price line or lower prices for goods covered by the duty cuts in his budget. The only positive response so far has been from the automobile industry with price reductions announced for cars and two-wheelers. Far from being reluctant to lower prices (cement and drugs), the producers in some cases have raised the product prices (steel, paper) at a time manufactured articles along with food items are contributing equally to the current level of inflation. Costly imports of oil with rise in energy demand and food to supplement domestic supply can accelerate the pace of inflation, apart from inflicting huge terms of trade loss.

Oil exporters (OPEC) did not agree at its March 5 meeting to increase their daily output of some 32 million barrels a day (mbd), contending that the market is well supplied when economic growth is weakening and instead contend that rising crude prices are due to the falling dollar and speculator activities. Others attribute the escalation (to as high as 108 dollars a barrel on March 10) to a tight supply market, apart from geo-political developments. The International Energy Agency estimates oil demand in 2008 at 87.6 mbd, despite the projected lower US and global growth, and says lower demand there would be more than offset by demand growth in China and the Middle East.

IMF, changing its tune, now concedes recent price surges cannot be solely demand-driven which economies could absorb hitherto but by other factors. But it sticks to its model of lower demand this year moderating oil prices. Globally, what is worrisome is the coupling of the oil and food prices, which, according to a senior World Bank official, have "devastating implications for global poverty and food security".

Oil importers find it hard to budget for energy costs and volatility has also hurt economic growth, investment and trade, says Mr. Graeme Wheeler, the Bank’s Managing Director. It has also increased fertiliser and transport costs and stimulated bio-fuel production. In the US, for example, a quarter of the maize crop – representing over ten percent of global output – went into bio-fuel production this year. Together, higher energy prices, drought, and rising demand have led to a 75 per cent increase in the price of staples since 2005, he noted. (IPA Service)

Sir,

It is very heart breaking to see that the Tibetan people of Shillong were staging a peaceful protest on the occasion of Tibetan Uprising day against the occupation of Tibet by China. This reminds me of the relentless struggle of our freedom fighters. They shed their blood, sacrificed their lives out of love for their motherland. Is today's India really the India of Bapu's dream?

The symbol that is holding us from taking off as a global player is corruption. India has been rated as the seventh most corrupt nation by Transparency International. Corruption in India today is not only an accepted norm, it is almost welcomed. Politicians with criminal records, communal riots, denial of justice, starvation, abuse of women, children and tourists are common features despite tall claims being made that India is an emerging super power. Most of the schemes and plans aimed at helping the common man either ends in paper alone or disappears half-way. Justice Rana Jois is right when he said ," We Indians are suffering from moral anaemia and spiritual cancer. The honest and upright man is ridiculed in the midst of corrupt and mal-nutritioned ones."

The sad truth is that most evils are being committed by those who never made up their minds to do good or evil. One needs to understand that a brave man who is indifferent is no better than a coward. We should all remember that the freedom we enjoy today is not for free. We all have a role to play. Our freedom fighters have secured the freedom desired by each and every Indian, it is now our duty to eradicate all vices prevailing in our society. The mother is now suffering from cancer. It is upto us whether we take steps to cure her or let her die.

Yours etc.,
Anthony Khongsit
Shillong-4
Via e-mail

Sir,

On February 26, 2008 I visited the Laitumkhrah Post Office at 9:45 am to pay my telephone bill. But there was nobody in any of the four counters except a solitary lady selling stamps. While waiting in the queue I browsed through the board nearby and learnt that the time for accepting telephone bills is from 9am to 2pm. But, the dealing assistant in question came to office at 10.20am. She came to the counter, ten minutes later after the usual gossips and tea. This is everyday occurrence in this Post Office. I would be thankful if the authorities concerned become alert and enforce a semblance of discipline among the employees.

Yours etc.,
A customer.

The Commission's latest report which was submitted to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday, also recommended more incentives for officers serving in the North-East besides increase in the number of deputation of police officers from outside the region to northeastern states and vice-versa.

Referring to the abolition of the DoNER Ministry, the Commission, chaired by Veerappa Moily, in its seventh report titled 'Capacity Building for Conflict Resolution' said, "DoNER may be abolished and the responsibility for the development of the region, including the infrastructure sectors and utilisation of the non-lapsable fund should be restored to the subject matter ministries, with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) acting as the nodal agency."

It said responsibility of sanctioning funds from the Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources should be entrusted to NEC.

It also said the NEC should work on mechanism for scrutinising proposals for funding from the pool in coordination with the ministries concerned.

The panel favoured the preparation of a 10-year perspective plan for the entire region "encompassing areas like development of human resources and infrastructure".

"To enable the NEC to assist effectively in the discharge of its responsibilities for reviewing measures taken by the member states for maintenance of security in the region, the MHA should keep the Council Secretariat within its 'security coordination loop'," it said. (PTI)

Kanak Chetia alias Diganta Kalita was an explosive expert of the outfit's 28th batallion was killed during an encounter with the personnel of 19 Kumaon Regiment and 7/11 Gurkha Regiment at Dirakbokhai village, official sources said.

Two other militants who were with him escaped, the sources said adding a Chinese pistol along with huge amount of explosive were recovered from the encounter site. An IED exploded near Rajib Bhawan at Sonari town on Sunday night. (PTI)

The militants came in a vehicle and gunned downed seven persons from close range killing them on the spot, the sources said. The victims were involved in the business of selling of tobacco products 'khaini' and 'zarda', which were banned by the insurgent organisation Revolutionary People's Front (RPF), the sources added. (PTI)

This is for the first time in past four years, the Governor read out his speech without any disruption.

The Opposition Congress legislators joined the session without their leader due to rift among themselves over the coveted post.

On the sideline of achievements of the fifth Left Front government, the Governor mentioned the targets for the new government.

The priority of the government will by and large continue to be in the areas that have been focused on in the past five years.

"Eradication of poverty and improvement of living standard of the people will continue to get top priority in the days to come," he said while addressing the newly-elected legislators.

He said a number of thrust areas have been identified on which special attention will be given by the new government to make Tripura an economically vibrant state.

The Governor also expressed his concern lacking in adequate and high quality infrastructure. "Availability of adequate and high quality infrastructure still remains one of the major shortcomings in rapid progress," he said adding that the new government will actively pursue the Central Government to get support of resources for rapid development of infrastructure.

Praising the performance of the Left Front government, the Governor said the Central Government has sanctioned four-laning of the National Highway 44 connecting the State with the rest of the country. "The work is expected to be over by next four years", he said.

He said that the Central Government has also approved the Railway extension project from Chouribari to Sabroom following sustained pressure from the State Government.

"If the two projects are implemented, State’s economy will be totally transformed", he said.

"During the last one year, important developments also took place in the power sector in Tripura – the long-delayed 21-MW Barmura power unit and 104 MW power project are finally seeing the light of the day," he said.

The Governor also lauded the success in agriculture field following adoption of ten years perspective plan in achieving self reliance in food grain production.

Meanwhile, Ramendra Debnath was on Monday unanimously elected tenth Speaker of Tripura Legislative Assembly, adds PTI.

Pro-tem Speaker, Samir Deb Sarkar announced in the House that he had received only one proposal from State Power Minister, Manik Dey in favour of Debnath.

All members in the House then supported Debnath as Speaker.

Debnath was elected as Speaker for the second term.

Moreh: Security posts in this border town of Manipur's Chandel district have been put on high alert after Saturday's ambush by insurgents on an Assam Rifles post left two persons dead, official sources said on Monday.

Random security patrolling has also been intensified to detect the movement of insurgents of Manipur People's Army (MPA), armed wing of United National Liberation Front (UNLF), which attacked the post of 24th Assam Rifles battalion at T. Minou village, about 5 km west of this town.

Police sources said a civilian indentified as Holkhomang Mate was killed in crossfire during the ambush in which rilefman Mohammad Hadish was also charred to death. (PTI)

Talking to reporters here, Ghatowar wanted the state government to raise the daily wages of the 20,000 labourers working under its Assam Tea Corporation (ATC) from Rs 42 to Rs 54.80 at par with the other tea estates.

Asserting that Rs 35 crore was yet to be paid by the ATC to the Provident Fund, the former union minister alleged that the central tea development fund was not properly utilised by the state.

Ghatowar said that in any tea garden having 1000 workers, 3000 to 5000 people stayed with them as their family members, but only the worker was entitled to medical care. (PTI)

Guwahati: Assam Pradesh Congress Chief Bhubaneswar Kalita, BPF nominee Biswajit Daimary and AGP candidate Birendra Prasad Baishya on Monday got elected unopposed to the Upper House of Parliament.

Returning officer of the RS Poll and Secretary of the state Assembly Gauranga Kumar Das said their nomination papers were found valid.

The elections, slated for March 26, have become unncessary with only three candidates filing papers for as many seats on the last date on Monday.

The Congress, besides its own candidate Mr Kalita, also extended complete support to Mr Daimary, who is the Bodoland People's Front (BPF) nominee.

The BPF is the coalition partner of the ruling Congress in the state.

The Congress leaders were in full show of strength, while Mr Kalita filed his nomination. BPF chief Hagrama Mohilary and his colleagues boosted Mr Daimary's support.

Main Opposition party Asom Gana Parishad(AGP), which had earned the consent of its allies to field a consensus candidate, had declared its choice of former Union minister Birendra Prasad Baishya.

He was here in the Assembly today, after returning from New Delhi with a gap of nearly 10 years.

Besides, leaders of the AGP, BJP state president Ramen Deka, AUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal, CPI(M) legislator Ananta Deka and other leaders of the Opposition were present when Mr Baishya filed his papers.

The AGP had also claimed support of four Independents and said that negotiations were on to garner more support. (UNI)