Asom Gana Parishad to contest assembly polls in alliance with BJP

Guwahati: Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) announced that it will contest next year’s assembly polls in alliance with BJP.

AGP is a partner in the ruling BJP led coalition in Assam. AGP had its executive body meeting on Tuesday.

President of AGP, Atul Bora said, “With self-respect we want to be in alliance, not for any individual interest but for people's interest. We believe in the politics of alliance. People supported AGP for they thought AGP if came to power would deport illegal immigrants however it was a false wish.”


He added, “Alone AGP could not do it because it requires understanding with the Bangladesh government, Union Home ministry is the nodal ministry for implementation of Assam Accord. There is a clear cut laid down things under the state and concurrent list for the subjects who Centre and state can do.”

A section of AGP has proposed that AGP must fight 2021 polls separately. AGP is yet to start seat sharing negotiation with BJP. AGP has worked on building organisations in the last five years.

A senior AGP leader who does not want to be named told ET, “The party is assessing the prospects of candidates in different constituencies and accordingly we will start discussion for seat sharing with BJP.”

In the last assembly elections, the AGP contested 24 seats and had a friendly fight in four constituencies. The party is expecting more seats. “The formation of new political parties Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) will not affect the prospects of AGP,” AGP leader said.

Regional party AGP was formed after a six year long anti-foreigners movement in 1985.

Prior to assembly polls in 2016 BJP in Assam stitched grand alliance which included AGP and Bodoland People’s Front (BPF).

Opposing the Citizenship Amendment Act, AGP walked out of the BJP led government on January 8 last year. Just before Lok Sabha polls AGP renewed its alliance with BJP. Three ministers of AGP renewed their offices.

BJP has 61 MLAs while its allies AGP and BPF had won 14 and 12 seats respectively in assembly polls in 2016. (Eom)