Gohain elected Assam BJP chief

By Our Special Correspondent

GUWAHATI, JUNE 2. Mr. Rajen Gohain, MP, was elected president of the Assam BJP here today. Intense factionalism frustrated efforts by the party's national leadership at avoiding a contest by persuading the 151 members of the State Council to agree on a consensus candidate.

Publicly, the party maintained Mr. Gohain was ``chosen'' after ascertaining the opinion of each member of the State Council.

But party insiders said formal elections were held as there were three candidates in the fray Mr. Gohain, Mr. Parbati Prasad Goswami and Mr. Prabin Barua. Mr. Gohain secured 73 votes, Mr. Barua 66, while Mr. Goswami, the outgoing vice-president, just 9 votes.

A fourth candidate, Mr. Ramen Deka, withdrew from the contest, reportedly after being assured that he would be made a vice- president of the new State Council.Mr. Kailashpati Mishra, BJP vice-president, was present as party observer for Assam.

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