Dissent in Assam BJP grows

The result of the Bihar elections has given more teeth to the dissenting voice in the Assam BJP, which may raise a banner of revolt against the alleged dictatorial behaviour of the state leadership.

Warning that the BJP may have to face a Bihar-like situation, the senior BJP leaders, including some MPs, have decided to take up with central party leaders the issue of some unilateral decisions of BJP leaders to induct surrendered Ulfa rebels (SULFA) and controversial Congress leaders in the party.

The senior BJP leaders, who do not want to be named, told this newspaper that there is a coterie in the party, which in consultation with BJP president Amit Shah and general secretary Ram Madhav, have been taking key decisions.

Pointing out that these decisions may boomerang and cost the party dearly, the BJP leaders said that the terror regime of SULFA leaders was still fresh in the minds of people and their induction has already started portraying a negative image of the party in the state.

The BJP leaders said the party was facing the wrath of masses for going back on two key electoral promises of the Prime Minister — the land swap deal with Bangladesh and the mega-dam project.