With assembly elections due in Assam early next year, two former legislators have stepped down from their respective parties. Former BJP MLA from Sipajhar, Binanda Saikia, resigned from the party, while former Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) MLA Satyabrata Kalita announced his exit from the regional ally of the BJP.
Saikia, who joined the BJP in 2015, said he was not consulted in party matters since 2021. “There is growing communalisation, and the party has become individualistic. There is no scope for collective working in the party,” he told reporters. He clarified that he has no differences with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma but has not yet decided on his political future.
Kalita, addressing the media on Wednesday, criticised AGP leadership for functioning under BJP’s influence. “I have always opposed this. This will severely affect the party in future. AGP is reduced to Morcha (unit) of BJP. AGP has become a regional unit of BJP,” he said.
He also opposed the Centre’s decision to extend the cut-off date for entry under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) to December 31, 2024. Kalita alleged that AGP president and Assam Accord minister Atul Bora had failed to safeguard the 1985 Accord, which mandated deportation of all foreigners entering Assam after March 24, 1971. “We have no right to call ourselves a regional party after the BJP has completely rejected the Assam Accord,” he remarked, pointing out that Bora had been party president for ten years, unlike BJP’s frequent leadership changes.
Kalita added that AGP lacked internal democracy and faced declining support. He has already declared his intention to contest the Kamalpur seat in 2026, a constituency won by the BJP in the last assembly elections.
Within AGP, grassroots workers have demanded a larger share of seats in next year’s polls, seeking constituencies such as Majuli, Lakhimpur, Bihpuria, Ranganadi, Gohpur and Nalbari, along with six seats in Kamrup districts. In 2021, AGP contested 29 constituencies, including three in friendly fights, and won nine.
Amid signs of discontent, Bora has been travelling to different districts to reassure party workers. He recently said: “Our grassroots workers are good; some leaders are aspiring for these seats. In alliance there is give and take.”
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma last week reiterated that the BJP-AGP alliance remains intact and both parties will contest the upcoming polls together.
Saikia, who joined the BJP in 2015, said he was not consulted in party matters since 2021. “There is growing communalisation, and the party has become individualistic. There is no scope for collective working in the party,” he told reporters. He clarified that he has no differences with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma but has not yet decided on his political future.
Kalita, addressing the media on Wednesday, criticised AGP leadership for functioning under BJP’s influence. “I have always opposed this. This will severely affect the party in future. AGP is reduced to Morcha (unit) of BJP. AGP has become a regional unit of BJP,” he said.
He also opposed the Centre’s decision to extend the cut-off date for entry under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) to December 31, 2024. Kalita alleged that AGP president and Assam Accord minister Atul Bora had failed to safeguard the 1985 Accord, which mandated deportation of all foreigners entering Assam after March 24, 1971. “We have no right to call ourselves a regional party after the BJP has completely rejected the Assam Accord,” he remarked, pointing out that Bora had been party president for ten years, unlike BJP’s frequent leadership changes.
Kalita added that AGP lacked internal democracy and faced declining support. He has already declared his intention to contest the Kamalpur seat in 2026, a constituency won by the BJP in the last assembly elections.
Within AGP, grassroots workers have demanded a larger share of seats in next year’s polls, seeking constituencies such as Majuli, Lakhimpur, Bihpuria, Ranganadi, Gohpur and Nalbari, along with six seats in Kamrup districts. In 2021, AGP contested 29 constituencies, including three in friendly fights, and won nine.
Amid signs of discontent, Bora has been travelling to different districts to reassure party workers. He recently said: “Our grassroots workers are good; some leaders are aspiring for these seats. In alliance there is give and take.”
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma last week reiterated that the BJP-AGP alliance remains intact and both parties will contest the upcoming polls together.
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