Alliance with BPF hurt Congress, says Anjan

*     Gogoi gives party feedback to Rahul, goes soft on AIUDF

*     AGP cool to pre-poll alliance, but continues seat-sharing parleys

By Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, Jan 21: Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today reiterated that the Congress will fight the upcoming elections alone, but dropped broad hints that his party is open for a post-poll alliance if the need so arises.

Gogoi was speaking to reporters after a meeting with party vice president Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi. APCC president Anjan Dutta and AICC general secretary CP Joshi also attended the meeting which discussed issues related to the upcoming assembly elections in the State.

"There was no discussion on alliance. The party high command has left the matter to me and the State unit," Gogoi said.

Asked specifically whether would be any tie-up with the AIUDF, Gogoi said, "We haven't decided it yet. But after the elections, anything is possible."

Though the Congress has been crossing swords with the Badruddin Ajmal-led AIUDF, the CM today appeared soft on the perfume baron, saying, "The AIUDF is less commul than the BJP. The BJP is our main enemy."

Elaborating on today's meeting, Gogoi said Rahul Gandhi inquired about the prospects of the Congress in the upcoming elections. "We told him our chances are good. We are tested…the BJP is not. The BJP is a khichiri party. It has been swarmed with leaders of all hues. There is the anti-incumbency factor, but we have worked and performed."

Citing its earlier alliance with BPF which "weakened the party base in the BTAD", APCC president Anjan Dutta said the Congress will not repeat the mistake and as such has decided not to go for any tie-up with any party.

He said the State Congress has invited Rahul Gandhi for a two-day visit to Upper Assam in February. "We will organize a padayatra. Rahul Gandhi will also address a rally in Sivasagar district," he said.

Though the sitting legislators will be given preference for party tickets in the upcoming elections, the State Congress said their chances of winning will be assessed first.

Meanwhile, after a heated debate during a meeting last night, the AGP leadership decided not to go for any pre-poll alliance in the "interest of keeping regiolism alive".

However, sources said the regiol party was in talks with both the Congress and BJP. The BJP has offered it 25 constituencies in a seat-sharing proposal, but the AGP is seeking more seats to accommodate its leaders.