Drama of 'regionalism' to end soon, AGP to reunite with BJP

Guwahati, March 4, 2019:

It seems like the AGP's drama of 'regionalism' is coming to an end as it is highly likely that the regional party is all set to resume the alliance with the BJP on March 5. Despite the BJP leadership's clear intention to bring back the Bill, which the AGP rejected vehemently in the past, the party is flirting with the possibility of the re-entering an alliance with the BJP. AGP President Atul Bora has kept the doors to a reunion open.

Assam’s biggest regional party, the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) party, was faced with a dilemma after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the implementation of the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 as they realized that the indigenous people of the state were clearly against it. After much prodding and poking by the indigenous people of Assam, AGP President Atul Bora announced a break of ties with the ruling BJP.

With the struggle against the Bill a thing of the past (after it was not tabled at the Rajya Sabha and died a ‘natural death’) and the Lok Sabha elections quickly approaching, it seems like the AGP's priorities have once against shifted to winning electoral seats. This, despite the BJP leaders stating over and over that the party is dedicated to bringing back the CAB in case this is voted back into power and it can be argued that by enabling the BJP to return to power, the AGP is, inadvertently, aiding in the return of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi will bring back the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill if voted into power”, Amit Shah had announced in front of a huge gathering of BJP supporters in North Lakhimpur. This sentiment was reiterated by Himanta Biswa Sarma at the India Today Conclave where he confirmed that the BJP will win 20 out of the 25 Northeastern Lok Sabha seats and then implement the controversial Bill.