Is AGP breaking ties with BJP?

Guwahati: With the relationship between Asom Gana Parishad and Bharatiya Janata party getting a bitter twist in the wake of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, the former seems to be not in the position to continue the alliance with BJP. However, after state minister Himanta Biswa Sharma’s statement provoking the regional political party to quit the alliance with BJP over the Citizenship Bill, the chances of the ties being broken is even more. AGP has started a crucial meeting at its headquarter from 1130 hours on Monday.

It is seen that Mr. Himanta Biswa Sharma has not only provoked the regional party to quit the alliance but has also hinted the same to Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.

However, AGP’s breaking of alliance with the BJP is not going to harm it much in retaining its government as even though AGP parts its ways, BJP will continue to be the majority party numerically with other partner BPF following it with 13 seats. In the 126 seat Assam Assembly, BJP has 61 seats.

It all took place due to a recent comment made by BJP leader and Assam health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma wherein he said that AGP has no moral right to oppose the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016.

As the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill envisages granting citizenship to minorities from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan who migrated to India without valid documents. According to AGP and other regional associations, this is not at all acceptable on any ground. The BJP, while pushing for the bill, AGP is totally against accepting it and on such grounds, the bond between the two parties is on the verge of broken down now.

Sarma said, “It was because of the Assam Accord that at least 1 crore illegal migrants in the state have been legalized as Indian citizens, which resulted in demographic changes in the state. After that, the AGP has lost its moral right to oppose the citizen bill.”

Further speaking about the breaking of the alliance in contesting for the Panchayat polls, Sarma added, “We had requested the AGP for a friendly contest in the panchayat polls with an aim to defeat the Congress and the AIUDF, who are our common enemy. We may have differences on some issues but it should not affect our alliance. I hope the AGP leadership will condemn Naren and take action against him.”

Also read: AGP has no right to oppose Citizenship (Amendment) Bill: Himanta Biswa Sarma