Friday was to have been social activist Anna Hazare's day. But co-activist Swami Agnivesh stole his thunder by getting under chief minister Tarun Gogoi's skin.
At an anti-corruption rally organised by Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti, Agnivesh lashed out at Gogoi for flying off to New Delhi ahead of Hazare's programme. "This is malicious propaganda," said Gogoi from New Delhi.
The chief minister, sworn in Wednesday afternoon, had left for the capital on Thursday to finalize his ministry in consultation with the party high command. "The Swami was not aware that I was busy the whole day (Thursday) in a meeting with heads of departments and in reviewing the law and order situation with high ranking civil and police officials," he said.
Gogoi, a CMO official said, had caught the last flight to Delhi at 4.55pm after completing all his official engagements and had "no reason to avoid Hazare's rally".