CM Sonowal suggests AGP-BJP alliance unlikely ahead of election

Guwahati, March 10, 2019:

As the Lok Sabha election dates are likely to be announced today, speculations about the possible political alliances have continued with many political sources suggesting an AGP-BJP union. But CM Sarbananda Sonowal's words seem to suggest otherwise.

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on March 10th, 2019 referred to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s win in the Assam Panchayat elections 2018 when quizzed about the alliance with Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), suggesting the BJP is strong enough to contest elections by itself.

The BJP, which fought alone, emerged as the single largest party in the Assam Panchayat elections. The BJP bagged 42 per cent of the total seats and the Congress came second securing 34 per cent in the Panchayat elections. Out of a total 26,784 posts, the BJP bagged 11,325 posts and AGP bagged 1,963 posts.

It may be mentioned that the AGP exited the BJP-led coalition in Assam on January 7th, 2019 over the Centre’s stand on the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016. Though the bill lapsed in Rajya Sabha on January 13, 2019, the incumbent government is still pressing on its stand to pass the Bill.

Speaking to media persons in Chabua of Dibrugarh district, Sonowal said, “The people voted for us (BJP) wholeheartedly in the last Panchayat elections. We have the trust of people.”

He added, “The results proved that the people of Assam are with the BJP. The support of the people will hopefully continue in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

The BJP is not considered a regional powerhouse in Assam, so it will be interesting to note how the party performs without the biggest regional party, AGP, connecting it to an indigenous populace.