GUWAHATI, Dec 14 - Even though the NDA partners in Assam are not going to fight the forthcoming panchayat polls as part of any formal alliance, regional player Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) is hopeful of arriving at some sort of electoral understanding with the Bodoland People�s Front (BPF) and other local parties representing various ethnic groups.
Senior AGP leaders told The Assam Tribune that they are working on arriving at some minimum understanding with the BPF, as well as formations representing the Rabha, Tiwa and Mising communities.
This comes at a time when the AGP and the BJP have both formally decided not to have any alliance or seat sharing with each other in the panchayat polls.
�Panchayat polls are local elections. Our grassroots level workers have certain hopes and aspirations and they were against having any alliance with the BJP, which is the major NDA partner in Assam. Our party�s extended central committee took a decision against having an alliance with BJP for the panchayat elections respecting the sentiments and views of our local members,� said a senior AGP leader.
He added, �However, the matter is different when it comes to BPF or other regional and ethnic-based parties. So, we are thinking of trying to have local-level seat adjustments with such organisations.�
Some preliminary talks have been held between AGP and some other regional and local parties, he said.
�As soon the State Election Commission (SEC) announces the schedule for the panchayat polls, we will take a final decision in this regard. We are optimistic that BPF and other local parties will look at our proposal in the right spirit,� said the leader.
Sources in the regional party said that AGP is looking for adjustments with BPF in panchayats bordering the BTAD region, while also seeking similar arrangements with the Ganashakti in Dhemaji, Majuli and Lakhimpur.
�Similarly, we are keen for local-level adjustments with parties representing the Rabha and the Tiwa communities in places like south Kamrup, Goalpara and Morigaon,� said a leader of the regional party.
Party leaders also discounted any likelihood of the Congress and the AIUDF benefiting from split of votes between the AGP and the BJP.
�Congress is a spent force in Assam. As for AIUDF, its support base among minorities has eroded significantly in recent times and those segments are flocking to us in large numbers. As of today, we do not see any possibility of division of votes between us and the BJP. The voters are also clever and they will not want a situation to arise where the Congress and AIUDF may again bounce back in the State,� said a senior AGP office-bearer.
