Saffron alliance exudes confidence of winning

Differences to be sorted out, say Sarbanda and Atul Bora

BY Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, March 19: The BJP-AGP-BPF alliance, backed by Rabha and Tiwa groups, is "best placed" at the moment to win the ensuing Assam assembly elections, BJP's chief ministerial candidate Sarbanda Sonowal claimed today.

"People in Assam have now rejected the Congress and decided that Assam can no longer remain underdeveloped, but must progress along with other states and come out of the darkness in which the Congress has kept it for so long," Sonowal told a joint press conference also addressed by AGP president Atul Bora and BPF supremo Hagrama Mohilary.

Sonowal said the people of Assam are yearning for a change from the "corrupt" Congress regime and claimed that the BJP-led alliance is poised to gain people's faith to oust the Congress.

The BJP leader admitted there were issues on which the alliance partners differed, but at the same time maintained that these can be sorted out.

"There are differences over some issues. But these can be sorted out. We have come together as the general people want us united," he said, when pointed to the AGP's opposition to the Central government notification regularizing stay of minority refugees from Bangladesh and Pakistan.

AGP president Atul Bora seconded Sonowal's views and said, "There are no issues that cannot be sorted out by sitting across the table. We cannot be swept by emotion at all times… we must have a logical approach too."

When asked about the disgruntlement among a section of party workers over the seat sharing arrangement with BJP, the AGP president said the dissent was receding and appealed to all workers and leaders to ensure unbridled vote transfer between the two parties to make the alliance successful.

Bora informed that the AGP will be fielding candidates in six more constituencies - apart from the 24 seats that the BJP has set aside for it - and engage in 'friendly contest' with its alliance partner.

Sonowal also admitted that there was some resentment among a section of party workers over the seat sharing issue. He, however, urged the workers to unite to defeat the Congress "for the sake of the State".

The BJP leader said the Congress and the AIUDF are two sides of the same coin and insisted the people are aware of the "true colours" of the two parties.

BPF supremo Hagrama Mohilary said the days of the Congress are numbered. "The BJP-led alliance will root them out," he added.

Mohilary said the BPF had spped ties with the Congress as it was not allowing the Bodo party to work for the people.