BJP on the lookout for a please-all face in Assam

BJP sources feel that 2016 can be a BJP year in Assam only if the party gets an able leadership who can take all party leaders in the state into his/her confidence.

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, May 11: Able leadership is all that matters in the BJP in Assam, a state bound for the electoral battle in 2016. All and sundry in the party in Assam, right from grassroots-level workers to top leaders, feel that the party needs a dymic and please-all leader who can make it to Dispur in 2016. And this has been made known to the party high command in many ways by various state party fora.

The BJP in Assam, according to party sources, is a divided house. Even the various morchas and cells of the party in the state lack coherence among them, party sources say.

According to party sources, since coming at the helm of affairs in the State Siddhartha Bhattacharyya could script a success story. The winning streak of the BJP in Assam –Assembly by-polls, Lok Sabha polls, civic body elections and the BTAD elections – speaks volumes of resurgence on the party in the state. For this the credit should also go to the state president of the party, Siddhartha Bhattacharyya. However, one cannot deny the influence of the rendra Modi factor in Assam. Even State Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi was on record admitting the Modi wave sweeping the State in the aftermath of the last Lok Sabha election results.

What is wrong with Bhattacharyya in so far as his relationship with other party leaders of the state is concerned? According to party sources, this is a sticky situation. Though his relationship with any other top party leaders in the State has not turned sour, yet, according to party sources, the very cement that keeps relationship stronger seems to be lacking. In plain words, Bhattacharyya has not been able to take all other state party leaders into his confidence. What is between them can best be said ‘formality’ more ‘rigid’ than ‘friendly feeling’.

Party sources also feel that 2016 can be a BJP year in Assam only if the party gets an able leadership who can take all party leaders in the state into his/her confidence.

Sources further say that a section of leaders in the party wants change in leadership, sooner the better, as that will eble the new leader to set things right in the party before the 2016 Assembly elections. Some party leaders want Union Minister of State for Sports and Youth Affairs (Independent charge) back at the helm of affairs in the State. And many feel this is a possibility within four/five months.