‘Drama of regionalism’ comes to end, AGP-BJP allies again

Guwahati, March 13, 2019:

Amid questions of “will they” and “won’t they”, politics’ bickering couple, the AGP and BJP have finally decided to resume their alliance. With this news, the dual nature of the AGP party has been exposed. While claiming to stand for the interests of the indigenous people, the party, by entering a pre-election alliance with the BJP has again fallen prey to their thirst for power. This re-union is especially baffling as both Amit Shah (in North Lakhimpur) and Himanta Biswa Sarma have announced every intention to bring back the contentious Bill after re-election.

The alliance has meanwhile been confirmed by Ram Madhav, who has been quoted as saying: “After discussion, BJP and AGP have decided to work together in the coming Parliament election in Assam to defeat Congress. Announced it at Guwahati in the presence of Himanta Biswa Sarma of BJP and Atul Bora and Keshav Mahanta of AGP. BPF will be the third partner in the alliance.”

The whole day was spent in speculating about whether the estranged lovers, the AGP and the BJP, would resume their apparently toxic love affair, with the AGP having walked out after differences over the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. With this move, the AGP has disrespected the Assam Accord and the scores of people who backed them against the Citizenship (Amenement) Bill.

Thus, Assam’s biggest regional party will back the national party and its interests once again as the BJP attempts to color the state the hue of saffron on April 11, 18 and 23.

Citizenship (Amendment) Bill compromise:

BJP spokesperson Jayanta Malla Baruah had stated clearly earlier in the day that the AGP would only be allowed back into the alliance if they allowed the implementation of the Bill, and with the re-union now on the brink of confirmation, it seems like the biggest indigenous party in the state has perhaps sacrificed the people for the throne.

Two seat compromise:

As per sources, Kumar Deepak Das of AGP will contest from Barpeta and Mani Madhav Mahanta, brother of working President Keshav Mahanta, will get the tickets from Koliabar constituency.