Mahanta rules out backing Congress

Will AGP ditch BJP? Speculations rife on post-poll alliance moves

BY Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, April 29: AGP leader Prafulla Kumar Mahanta today ruled out any post-poll tie-up with the Congress even as he insisted that the State is poised to get a non-Congress government after fifteen years.

"Alliance (of the AGP) with the Congress is not possible. The AGP has been opposed to the Congress since the beginning. Our thrust is on strengthening regiol forces," he told reporters, amid reports that the regiol party was exploring various post-poll options, including an alliance with the Congress.

Mahanta said the people of the State have sought a change in the recently-concluded assembly elections.

"The State is poised to get a non-Congress government after fifteen years. All will depend on 'big brother' BJP now… how it gains the confidence of the alliance partners," he added.