Bihar verdict may force BJP to rethink Assam strategy

GUWAHATI: Emboldened by Bihar results, Congress in Assam which is ravaged by growing desertion of leaders, is charged up for Assembly polls next year. BJP, which is eyeing to form the next government in Assam, is taking Bihar verdict as eye opener and rethinking its strategy.

BJP which has emerged as main opposition to ruling Congress in Assam won seven out 14 Lok Sabha seats in 2014 Lok Sabha polls. Officially, BJP maintained that Bihar's defeat will have no impact in the Assam polls slated for April-May next year. However, within the party the mood which was upbeat till Saturday has turned out to be pensive after the Sunday verdict and there is serious brain storming now.

BJP's secretary in charge of Assam, Mahendra Singh told ET: “The verdict of Bihar will not impact Assam poll outcome as different states go to polls with its own set of issues. Definitely we will draw lessons from Bihar and rethink of poll strategy for Assam."

A senior BJP leader who did not want to be quoted said: “The party is rethinking its strategy. To start with we are going to overhaul our organisation in Assam, the term of state unit office bearers are ending next month. The central party leadership is considering if Union sports minister Sarbananda Sonowal could be brought to state politics and assigned special task before the polls."