The political crisis in Assam further deepened when 32 Congress MLAs led by State's Education and Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma quit on Monday demanding the immediate ouster of Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi.

According to reports, the rebel Congress MLAs tendered their resignation letter to the Governor after briefing him that they had no confidence in the Tarun Gogoi's leadership.

The development is also a major blow for Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, who has been openly backing Gogoi and scuttled hopes of the state's rebel leaders to effect a change of guard in Assam.

Rahul Gandhi had reiterated his support to the beleaguered Assam Chief Minister this morning and asked him to keep the rebel MLAs, who want him to be removed, under control.

Gogoi has been facing severe opposition from Congress MLAs of his cabinet after the party's drubbing in the recent Lok Sabha elections. Read