Tarun Gogoi was on Saturday unanimously elected leader of the Congress Legislature Party, setting the stage for his becoming Chief Minister for the second successive term. Talking to reporters later, a beaming Gogoi said no date had yet been fixed for the swearing-in, but said it could be well before May 17. Besides the 12 Bodoland People's Progressive Front (Hagrama faction) MLAs, the Congress had also received the support of nine Independent MLAs and the lone NCP member taking the total tally of the new coalition government to 75, Gogoi said. Gogoi said he would now have “greater responsibility” during his second term as Chief Minister for bringing more development to the state.

Rangasamy to get second shot in Pondicherry

Pondicherry: Armed with letters of support from its allies, the Congress today staked its claim to form a government in the Union Territory of Pondicherry. Though the MLAs left the leadership issue to Sonia Gandhi, N Rangasamy was later elected leader of the Pondicherry Congress Legislature Rarty, Congress sources said. Earlier, allies DMK, PMK and CPI handed over letters to the Congress pledging outside support to the ministry.