Friday, May 12 2006 17:05 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Guwahati: With a fractured mandate in the assembly elections in Assam, the ruling Congress being the single largest party with 53 seats in the 126-member house is all set to form the next government with its ally BPPF(H).

The Bodoland People's Progressive Front (Hagrama faction), which has bagged 12 seats and had a pre-poll understanding with the Congress, is playing king maker while opposition AGP had to bite the dust with only 24 seats.

Though down 18 from its 2001 election tally of 71, the Congress was discussing with the BPPF(H) to work out the modalities for a coalition government fulfilling the poll promises of both the parties, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi told sources today (May 12, 2006).

The party's legislature party would meet here tomorrow to elect its new leader and the chief minister, Gogoi said.

With chief ministerial contender and APCC president Bhubeswar Kalita and other potential challengers losing the elections, the path for Gogoi was clear to take over the reins of the government again.

Former insurgent leader and now BPPF(H) president Hagrama Mohilary said he had "full faith in the Congress led by Tarun Gogoi to bring about development in the Bodoland area".

The Bodo party emerging as a major force in the state would participate in the Congress-led new government and had accordingly conveyed it to the AICC president. Hoping there would be no change in the state government leadership, Hagrama said, "During the last five years Tarun Gogoi had faith in us and worked for the development of the Bodoland areas, besides the progress of the state".