After Bodos, BJP aims to rope in Asom Gana Parishad

After forging an alliance with the Bodoland Peoples Front (BPF), the BJP has been trying to rope in the regional Asom Gana Parishad and some ethnic groups in Assam.

However, the move to ally with the AGP but ignore stalwart and two-time chief minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta may boomerang on the BJP.

Indicating that the idea of BJP strategists, comprising many ex-AGP leaders, is to forge an alliance without conceding more than 20 seats, insiders in the AGP indicated that any such compromise might prove counter-productive in the AGP.

Pointing that the party has authorised the present AGP leadership to hold discussions with the BJP for an alliance and seat adjustment, sources in the AGP said a powerful camp in the AGP led by Mr Mahanta has not been taken into confidence on the issue of an alliance and seat adjustment with the BJP.

When contacted, Mr Mahanta, who was holding public rallies in Upper Assam districts, refused to say anything on an alliance. Mahanta loyalists, however, admitted that he had not been kept in the loop on the alliance issue.

The Mahanta camp was of the view that they also favour a pact with like-minded political parties, but without compromising the interests of the party.

Pointing out that strategic mistakes by the party in subsequent elections since 2001 have marginalised the party in Assam, political observers, however, felt that the regional party still has the potential to bounce back.

Meanwhile, sources said AGP has staked claim to 35 seats as its price for allying with the BJP. Informing that AGP president Atul Bora, who is engaged in negotiations with the BJP, has also submitted the list of constituencies that AGP intends to contest, sources said the AGP and BJP are yet to thrash out differences over many seats where both the AGP and BJP have strong contenders.