Asom Gana Parishad, Bodoland Peoples Front will support NDA's presidential nominee Ram Nath Kovind

GUWAHATI: Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and Bodoland Peoples Front (BPF) has decided to extend support to NDA's presidential nominee Ram Nath Kovind.

Both AGP and BPF are part of BJP-led ruling coalition in Assam.

In recently held election to sixth schedule area, Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, AGP and BJP contested separately. This fueled speculation that there is a rift in the ruling coalition.


Assam minister for education and convener of BJP floated platform of non-Congress parties, Northeast Democratic Alliance (NEDA), Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “BJP's national President, Amit Shah has before the announcement of Presidential candidate discussed with AGP and BPF.”

He said, “Shah has talked to smallest party in Northeast India and sought their support for NDA’s nominee.”

Sarma said, “The chief minister, Parliamentary affairs minister will request all the 126 MLAs to support the Kovind, who comes from backward community.”

Assam chief minister, Sarbananda Sonowal will be present during the nomination filling by Kovind.

Senior AGP leader, Keshav Mahanta and BPF leader, Biswajit Daimary stated that their party will extend support to Kovind.

Meanwhile joining of six MLAS belonging to Trinamool Congress in Tripura to BJP is still hanging in balance.

A senior BJP leader told ET, “Though it is still not clear however joining is likely to take place before Presidential polls.”

Jiten Sarkar, former Congress MLA recently joined BJP. Sarkar was one of the seven MLAs who had deserted Congress.