Former Union Minister Paban Singh Ghatowar of the INC has denied reports that he is joining the BJP and asserted that canards were being spread against him by a quarter.

"Many have joined and the party is already crowded. What willI do there? They actually want me to join their party but I am not interested. Thesereports are baseless and I don't want to even react to them. But I am reallyhurt the way canards are being spread against me deliberately," Ghatowar toldreporters.

This comes amid simmering tension in the Assam Congressleadership with many expressing dissatisfaction with the functioning of theparty.

Meanwhile, there are also rumours that two other Congressleaders – former minister Bharat Narah and current Rajya Sabha MP Ranee Narah –will also switch to the BJP.