Assam Assembly Election: BJP and AGP begin talks on sharing of seats

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The maiden discussion on sharing of seats for the Assembly polls between two of the three-party ruling alliance — namely the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) and the AGP (Asom Gana Parishad) — started at Dispur on Monday. Discussions with the UPPL (United People's Party Liberal) are also slated, added sources.

The BJP side was represented by Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, national general secretary Dilip Saikia, State party president Ranjeet Kumar Dass and State general secretary (organization) Phani Sarma. The AGP leaders present at the discussion were party president Atul Bora, working president Keshab Mahanta, Food & Civil Supplies Minister Phani Bhushan Choudhury and Member of Parliament Birendra Prasad Baishya.

Sources informed that during the meeting, the AGP delegation submitted a list of the constituencies it wishes to contest.

Talking to the media after the meeting, AGP president Atul Bora said, "The State-level talks will continue on Tuesday also. The final picture will emerge only after our meeting with the national leadership of the BJP in New Delhi."

AGP working president Keshab Mahanta stated, "We hope that the decisions regarding seat-sharing between the AGP and the BJP will be taken by March 4."

On the agenda of the three-party ruling alliance, BJP national general secretary Dilip Saikia pointed out, "Our prime objective is to further develop the State. We will approach the masses with this development agenda to defeat the '3Cs' – the Congress, the Communists, and the communal forces."

Mentionably during the last 2016 Assembly elections in Assam, the BJP had left 28 seats to the AGP. Of these, the AGP won 14 seats. On the other hand, the AGP lost the few seats where friendly contests were held with the BJP.

Will retain power, claims Dass: State BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) president Ranjeet Kumar Dass is confident of his party retaining power in the State.

Dass was addressing a joining ceremony at party headquarters at Hengrabari here where 26 former members of the AASU (All Assam Students' Union) and other students' organizations joined the party.

The 26 student leaders include AASU's former vice president Pradip Das, former assistant general secretary Rahul Das, former secretary Bijoy Baruah, and former organizational secretary Himan Barman, among others.

"A section of people are forming political parties by associating themselves with students' bodies. However, members from those students' bodies are joining the BJP. Earlier, as many as 1,012 AASU members joined the BJP; and even today, several members from the students' union joined the party. With them, the party will certainly grow stronger," said Dass while addressing the newly joined members.

The State BJP president also stated that his party is aiming to enroll a member from each of the 68 lakh families in the State.

"Assam has around 68 lakh families and the BJP has 50 lakh members. Our target is to enroll at least one member from each of these families. We want to have 68 lakh BJP members in the State. As the election dates have been announced, we've concluded our organizational works. Only the Pariyal Sampark Abhiyan (family-contact programme) is underway in which four lakh pristha pramukhs, other leaders and workers are involved. The workers will go door-to-door and take up the State government's performance in the last five years to the people. If the families are satisfied with the work of the government, they will be requested to make other families aware of the achievements of the government," said Dass.

On the seat-sharing arrangements, Dass said that the party has held meetings with the AGP (Asom Gana Parishad) and the UPPL (United People's Party Liberal) to discuss issue. He added that before March 5, the party will release the list of candidates for the Assembly poll.

The programme was also attended by State BJP general secretary (organization) Phanindra Nath Sarma, and Minister Pijush Hazarika, among several other party leaders.

BJP's monthly magazine – Asomiya BJP Barta – was released during the joining programme.

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