Gamang's fate uncertain

NEW DELHI, Dec 3 (PTI) — Fate of beleaguered Orissa Chief Minister Giridhar Gamang appeared uncertain today as a new team of AICC observers left for Bhubaneswar amid indications that the political crisis in the state would be resolved by tomorrow.

The new three-member team led by senior leader Motilal Vora would hold fresh talks with MLAs and leaders of different party groups in the wake of dissidents’ demand for the ouster of Gamang who has been accused of failing in tackling the post-cyclone situation.

Mr Vora as also the two other AICC observers — Vayalar Ravi and Ramesh Chennithala — had a meeting with Congress President Sonia Gandhi before leaving for the Orissa capital along with Gamang and Orissa PCC President Hemananda Biswal in a state government plane.

Mr Gamang and Mr Biswal also had a meeting with Mrs Gandhi after which the Chief Minister told reporters that he was going to the state with "certain suggestions and advice’’ from the Congress president.

Earlier in the day, Mr Gamang said all issues including his resignation were being discussed by the party high command.

"Everything is under discussion", he told reporters to a volley of queries whether he has resigned or offered to do so.

Mr Biswal said he was not in the race for Chief Ministership as "I am already in a vital position’’. He, however, said it was "improper’’ on the part of dissidents to press their demand at a time when the state was passing through a difficult phase in the wake of the super cyclone.

AICC spokesman Ajit Jogi, replying to a volley of questions on whether Gamang had put in his papers with Congress President, merely said the "process of consultation is still on’’.

He sought to downplay party’s decision to send a fresh team to the state soon after AICC general secretary Madhavrao Scindia and Vayalar Ravi’s visit to Bhubaneswar to assess the political situation in the wake of dissidence against Gamang.

"Assessment is a continuing process, which is still continuing. The second team is part of that process,’’ he said.

Meanwhile, a senior party leader said the question in Orissa was not whether Gamang was being replaced or not, but who would be his successor in view of the tussle between the former Chief Minister J.B. Patnaik and senior minister Basanta Kumar Biswal for the post.

The leader, who declined to be identified, disputed suggestions by Gamang’s supporters that replacement of a tribal Chief Minister would adversely affect the party’s prospects in the assembly polls due early next year. "Our Chief Minister and PCC President were both tribesmen in the recent Lok Sabha polls, but what was the result,’’ he quipped.