AGP threatens to pull out of alliance with BJP over Sarma's comment on Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016

Stung by the remark that regional party Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) has no moral right to oppose Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 by Assam finance minister Himanta Biaswa Sarma, the AGP leadership has decided to write to BJP president Amit Shah asking if he wants the alliance to continue or not.

Sarma has launched a scathing attack on ally AGP and said," They (AGP) accepted March 24, 1971 as cut-off date instead of 1951 and Assam had to shoulder extra burden of foreigners.”

AGP held a marathon meeting on Monday. “We will write to Amit Shah detailing about the Himanta Biswa Sarma comment and asking him to state Saffron party’s stand on alliance. If he wants us to go we will go. Shah was instrumental in stitching alliance prior to 2016 assembly polls,” senior AGP leader, Ramendra Narayan Kalita told ET.


AGP president and minister in the state government, Atul Bora said, “We have taken up the matter opposing the citizenship bill in cabinet meeting. We even met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President of India Ramnath Kovind and leaders of different political parties opposing the bill.”

He added, “Despite being in power for two terms we cannot implement Assam accord due to Illegal Migrants (Determination by Tribunal) Act, 1983 (IMDT) Act.”

Bora said that AGP entered into an alliance with the BJP after Narendra Modi said that Assam will be illegal immigrant free and Assam Accord will be implemented. “Citizenship bill will negate on-going exercise of National Register of citizens (NRC). People are opposing the bill for Assam cannot take any extra burden of foreigners.”

Clarifying that, AGP decided to go solo in Panchayat polls only after state BJP president Ranjeet Kumar Dass made statement that BJP will contest Panchayat polls on its own. “Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and finance minister Himanta wanted that both parties should fight together.”

Meanwhile Congress has offered AGP to join hands with Congress. Former chief minister, Tarun Gogoi said, “AGP can join hands with Congress and quit the BJP led government.”