Cong forms election, manifesto committees for Assam polls

Seeking to put its house in order in Assam where polls are due next year, Congress tonight set up eight committees including that on campaign, manifesto, coordination and communication, giving representation to all sections.
Former Union Minister Paban Ghotowar has been made Chairman of the two-member crucial campaign committee while senior leader Bhubaneswar Kalita will chair the manifesto committee.
AICC general secretary C P Joshi chairs the 10-member Coordination Committee, which has Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, PCC chief Anjan Dutta, former Union Minister Paban Ghatowar, and Hemo Prova Saikia, wife of former Chief Minister Hiteshwar Saikia, as members.
Dutta heads the Election Coordination Committee. Pankaj Bora heads the media and communication department.

Pradyot Bardloi chairs the publicity committee while the five-member disciplinary committee is headed by Bishnu Prasad.
The party's decision has come within a fortnight after a prominent leader of the party, Himanta Biswa Sarma, left Congress on August 28 and joined BJP giving a fillip to the rival party's attempt to gain foothold in the state, which is being ruled by the Congress for last three terms.
Assembly polls in Assam are scheduled next year and BJP has been making earnest efforts to widen its base to end the 15-year Congress rule in the state.
"Congress President has approved names of Co-ordination committee, Election Co-coordination Committee, Campaign Committee, Manifesto Committee, Publicity Committee, Media and Communication Department and Disciplinary Committee for Assam," party general secretary (organisation) Janardan Dwivedi said in a press release.