BJP may have an alliance with AGP for Assam elections

GUWAHATI: The BJP is trying to have an alliance with the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) for the assembly polls in Assam. AGP has seen repeated defeats in Assam since 1998 and this has prompted a section of AGP leaders to consider a tie-up with BJP. BJP has already stitched up an alliance with the Bodoland Peoples Front in the state.

AGP has sought 30 assembly seats from BJP, while BJP is ready to part with only 20 seats, out of 126 assembly seats in Assam. AGP had won 10 seats in 2011, but after the death of an MLA and two MLAs quitting the party to join the BJP, its current strength in the assembly is 7 though. AGP spokesperson Manoj Saikia confirmed that talks were on and nothing has been decided on sharing seats yet.

Senior AGP leader Keshav Mahanta said there is a proposal for alliance with the BJP. “However the party’s general house within one week will decide on the alliance.” Not everyone in AGP favours an alliance with BJP. A section of leaders want the party to contest polls on its own, while another section favours an alliance with Congress.

During the 2009 Lok Sabha polls, AGP and BJP had contested together. Political analyst felt that BJP’s alliance with AGP will benefit BJP as AGP’s votes are transferable. BJP’s effort to tie-up with BPF has already triggered disenchantment in the party.

On Friday, several BJP members from Dhubri district staged a protest in front of the BJP headquarters in Guwahati.