Assam polls: BJP says performance key for ticket to sitting MLAs

Guwahati: Ahead of assembly polls ruling BJP has made it clear that performance will be one of the main criteria of sitting party MLAs getting party ticket.

BJP presently has 64 MLAs in the house of 126. Assam is likely to go to polls early this year.

Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday said, “The BJP does not target constituencies but focuses on candidate merit and public mandate, the Chief Minister said the party would allow voters to judge candidates based on performance. We will give tickets, and people will vote after judging the merit of the candidates. We have faith that the people will vote for us to form the government".


Sarma said that sitting MLAs would be assessed strictly on their performance. “If an MLA has done good work, they will get the ticket. If not, they won’t. That is why there will be fewer aspirants in constituencies where MLAs have performed well,” he said.

The Chief Minister said BJP would not field candidates in constituencies where over 80% of the population comprises Muslims, adding that around 22 such seats have been excluded from the party’s contest list.

Sarma said, “A general seat-sharing arrangement has been worked out. For instance, ASom Gana Parishad (AGP) in Bokakhat, BJP in Jalukbari and so on. Only 10 to 12 seats remain to be discussed. We will contest around 103 to 104 seats,”

At present, the BJP has 64 MLAs, while its allies — Asom Gana Parishad, United People’s Party Liberal and Bodoland People’s Front — have nine, seven and three legislators, respectively. In the Opposition, the Congress has 26 MLAs, the All-India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) 15, the CPI(M) one, and one Independent.

Hindus in Bangladesh
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, on Tuesday expressed deep concern over a spate of violent attacks on minority Hindus, said both the Centre and state are closely monitoring the situation to prevent any fallout in Assam.

Speaking to the press on the sidelines of a seed capital distribution programme in Sribhumi district, the Chief Minister said the safety of minority Hindus in the neighbouring country is a matter of concern for India.

“It is deeply worrying that the Hindu community is facing frequent attacks in Bangladesh. It is our moral responsibility to stand with the minority population there and ensure they are not subjected to violence or intimidation. The Central government has taken cognisance of the situation, and Assam has also been put on high alert."

The Chief Minister acknowledged that developments across the border are already having a bearing on Assam, particularly in districts adjoining Bangladesh.

He said security vigilance had been stepped up in sensitive border areas to ensure that the situation does not spill over into the State.

Sarma added that the Assam government would formally urge the Union government to take appropriate diplomatic and administrative steps to ensure the safety and security of the Hindu community in Bangladesh.

He said State governments could raise concerns when humanitarian issues affect regional stability. “Foreign affairs are handled by the Central government, but we can and will request that the safety of Hindu citizens in Bangladesh be prioritised.“