M A I N   N E W S

Sangma to launch forum tomorrow

Guwahati, January 17
Protesting against NCP President Sharad Pawar firming up an electoral alliance with Congress President Sonia Gandhi, former Lok Sabha Speaker P. A. Sangma today formally announced his break-up with the Nationalist Congress Party. He said his North-East Political Forum would align with the National Democratic Alliance for the Lok Sabha elections.

He told reporters here that the NEPF which was a loose conglomeration of all major regional parties of the North-East as well as the BJP, would be formally launched in New Delhi on Monday.

As far as the NCP in the North-East is concerned, he said it would en masse become a part of the NEPF.

The NEPF, a brainchild of Mr Sangma, however, does not have the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) in its fold. But AGP sources today confirmed that informal talks were on to get the support of the BJP. He said the NEPF enjoyed the support of four governments in the North-East and along with the BJP, would be a real threat to the Congress.

NEW DELHI: However, according to a PTI report Mr P.A. Sangma tonight denied reports that he had resigned from the party. “There is no question of my resigning from the party,” Mr Sangma said. — UNI