Himanta was an asset, his exit will not affect cong: gogoi

Himanta Biswa Sarma was "one of the assets" while he was a part of the government but the former minister's departure will not affect the ruling Congress in the 2016 Assembly

polls, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today said.  "Congress will not suffer because of his (Sarma's) decision to join BJP. Ours is a party of ideology. Leaving of the party by

one person will not impact us ... Earlier also, many important persons left (Congress), but nothing happened to the party," said Gogoi.  "Joining and leaving are parts of any

political party,"  he added.  Asked about his association with Sarma, who was once a  close associate and the state former education and health  minister who quit over differences with

the chief minister last year, Gogoi said, "He was one of the assets. He was a part of the government. I never said he was inefficient and that is why I gave him important ministerial

berths.  "Yes, it is true that he was my blue-eyed boy. I helped (Sarma) despite opposition of many senior Congress leaders. Today Delhi is accusing me that he was my blue-eyed boy and

he became a dissident and has now joined BJP."  Gogoi questioned Sarma's ideology for changing his allegiance from a "secular and pro-poor party" to a "Hindutva and

communal party."  "There were dissidents in '70s and '80s too. People left the party and formed or joined different parties. Some even formed new parties, with Congress

ideology and name but none left the core ideology," he said.  Gogoi said there were many politicians in Congress, BJP, CPI or any other party and they never left their parties even in

bad times because of adherence to its ideologies.  Asked about his reaction after getting the news of Sarma' proposed joining of BJP, Gogoi, who once told the dissident Congress leader

was like his son, said "Initially I was shocked, but not now. It is part of life."  "Many people have come and left during my long political career. Personal things don't

count, it is about party ideology," the Chief Minister said, adding that he did not want to raise old issues and create any "unnecessary bitterness" with Sarma.