Alliance with BPF, AGP soon: BJP

BY OUR STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, Jan 16: In an important meeting held in a city hotel on Saturday, the State BJP leadership threshed out the alliance issue for the upcoming assembly elections.  The meeting was attended by top BJP leaders like party tiol general secretaries Ram Madhav and Ramlal, organising secretary for the Northeast Ajay Jamwal, State BJP president Sarbanda Sonowal, Himanta Biswa Sarma and senior RSS functiory Krish Gopal.

It has been learnt that the meeting primarily discussed alliance formation prospects with the BPF and the AGP. While most BJP leaders from the State favoured forging an alliance with the Hagrama Mohilary-led BPF, a majority favoured an ‘understanding’ with the AGP. Some leaders were even said to have opined that the AGP should be asked to project weak candidates to ensure smooth sailing for the BJP. Talking to media-persons soon after the meeting, BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “Officially we are in talks with the AGP. We have already had two rounds of meetings where seat sharing was also discussed. The AGP has also given us a list of constituencies. By the first week of February, everything will be filised.”

Talking about the BJP-BPF alliance, Sarma said, “It will take fil shape after Prime Minister rendra Modi’s visit scheduled on January 19.”

The crucial State BJP meeting is also learnt to have discussed about party candidates for 26 constituencies. “We discussed the candidates for 26 constituencies and have forwarded the list to the election magement committee to do the needful,” added Sarma.

When asked about a Congress-AIUDF alliance, Sarma said, “Congress and the AIUDF have already forged an alliance, first in Pat in the presence of Nitish Kumar, and then in New Delhi where at the Assam Bhawan, the Chief Minister had a one-on-one chat with Badaruddin Ajmal.”