New Delhi:
The sensitive border state of Arunachal Pradesh is going through political turmoil because of intense factionalism within the ruling Congress. State Congress chief, Nabam Tuki, is lobbying to change the Chief Minister, Jarbom Gamlin.
On the other hand, the rival camp led by the Chief Minister wants the party high command to crack down on the dissidents.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi summoned Chief Minister Jarbom Gamlin today along with three Central observers - Sushil Kumar Shinde, B K Handique and Dhaniram Shandil. Ms Gandhi had appointed the three observers to ascertain the views of the MLAs.
The observers have given their confidential report to the Congress president.
Sources say that there will be another meeting of the Congress legislature party on Monday at the capital Itanagar where the MLAs will be asked to once again elect their leader.
Meanwhile, Mr Gamlin and his party rival Nabam Tuki today offered to resign from their posts.
Party spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi, however, said no decision on the resignation offer has yet been taken but said Congress president Sonia Gandhi would soon take a view on the issue.
"The Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister and the PCC Chief have offered to submit their resignation. As of now, no decision has been taken. It is under consideration," Mr Singhvi said.
The leadership issue has paralysed the functioning of the state government for over two months now. Nearly half of the Congress MLAs, opposed to Mr Gamlin, have been camping in Delhi to press for a change.
Contenders for the Chief Minister's posts include Congress leader Mukut Mithi - a former Chief Minister - and the party's current state president Nabam Tuki.
In the 68-member Assembly, the Congress has a strength of 42 MLAs. However, the party is split down the middle with 21 MLAs on each side.
Sources say even though the party is considering a change of guard, it also has to factor in possible split in the party. Rival factions are in touch with MlAs from other groups including three MLAs from the BJP.
Sources also say that considering the sensitivity of the border state, the party is weighing all options including the possibility of a President's Rule.
(With PTI inputs)