Assam CM Tarun Gogoi As Next Vice President

By K.S. JAYASEELAN

New Delhi, Mar 5 : With polls for India's Presidency and Vice-Presidency due in a few months, Congress has reportedly started discussing the possibility of fielding three-time Assam Chief Minister Mr. Tarun Gogoi for the post of the Vice-President with the party's UPA allies.

Confirming the name of Tarun Gogoi did come up in the discussion with the Congress’ leadership, sources within the UPA revealed there is a strong possibility of Gogoi being fielded as a common UPA candidate, Deccan Chronicle has learnt.

When asked about the nominee for Presidency sources said: "They (Congress) haven’t come with any name or proposal so far. Perhaps they would do it after the results of the Uttar Pradesh elections."

If Gogoi gets elected to Vice-presidency, he would be the first person from the north-east to occupy the coveted post.

The incumbent Vice-President, Dr. Hamid Ansari’s term would be coming to an end on August 10. The Assam strongman, who has been associated with the Congress for decades, has been a member of the Lok Sabha a record six times.

He has also served in the union cabinet under former Prime Minister Mr. Narasimha Rao. Between 1991-93 he was minister of state for food with independent charge. And between 1993-95 he was heading the Food processing industry with independent charge.

He became Chief Minister of Assam for the first time in 2001. He also led the party to victory in 2006 and 2011.

In the last assembly polls he was credited with having secured an absolute majority for his party after a gap of 20 years. Congress had emerged triumphant in 78 seats for the126-member assembly.

Mr. Gogoi has also served in various capacities in the party hierarchy both in the state and also in the Centre.