Guwahati: The political landscape in Assam is gradually changing ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections, with seat-sharing negotiations between Bharatiya Janata Party and Asom Gana Parishad reportedly reaching a final stage.
Although the top leadership of the two parties has not yet made a formal announcement, sources said that ticket aspirants within both parties have already received indications about the likely seat-sharing arrangement. Following these developments, internal election strategies have begun within the AGP.
According to party sources, the BJP has agreed to leave the Hajo–Sualkuchi constituency to AGP under certain conditions. One of the key conditions is that the candidate for the seat would be Prakash Das, a former All Assam Students’ Union leader who is currently with the BJP.
Sources said Das has already met AGP president Atul Bora and may formally join the party within the next few days.
Meanwhile, the newly created Madhya Guwahati constituency, formed after the delimitation that removed West Guwahati, is likely to remain with the BJP. The current MLA from West Guwahati and AGP leader Ramendra Narayan Kalita is reportedly unwilling to give up the seat.
Political observers say Kalita may consider joining the BJP. Fueling speculation, the MLA recently changed his social media profile photo to the BJP’s lotus symbol.
Tension also surfaced at the AGP central office on Saturday when some party workers created a heated situation demanding that the Madhya Guwahati seat be allotted to AGP.
In another development, Jayanta Khaound, a ticket aspirant from the Ranganadi constituency, resigned from the party after receiving indications that the seat would not be left for AGP by the BJP.
In the 2021 Assembly elections, AGP had contested in 29 constituencies. In the upcoming polls, the party is expected to contest around 28 to 30 seats again in alliance with the BJP, though several constituencies may change.
Amguri MLA Pradip Hazarika is reportedly considering contesting from either Sivasagar or Teok in the next election
Earlier, AGP had proposed contesting in several constituencies including Bokakhat, Kaliabor, Chabua-Lahowal, Teok, Dergaon, Dimoria, Madhya Guwahati, Sipajhar, Barpeta, Bajali, Bongaigaon, Abhayapuri, Barchala, Tezpur, Raha, Bilasipara, Biswanath, Ranganadi, Majuli, Barkhetri, Barchamapara, Sissiborgaon, Bihpuria, Goalpara East, Dalgaon, Mankachar, Sonai, South Karimganj, Algapur, Katlicherra, Chenga and Srijangram.
However, sources indicate that BJP may retain several of these constituencies, including Chabua-Lahowal, Teok, Dergaon, Madhya Guwahati, Barchala, Raha, Ranganadi, Majuli, Barchamapara, Bihpuria and South Karimganj.
At the same time, several minority-dominated constituencies in Lower Assam and Barak Valley may be allocated to AGP. In Barak Valley, the party could get three constituencies following the joining of MLAs Siddique Ahmed from South Karimganj, Karim Uddin Barbhuiya from Sonai and Nizam Uddin Choudhury from Algapur.
Meanwhile, BJP is reportedly ready to leave some key constituencies to AGP, including Tezpur, Sivasagar, Barpeta, Bongaigaon, Goalpara East, Dimoria, Bajali, Kaliabor and Bokakhat.
Political observers say the ruling NDA alliance is trying to adjust constituencies strategically to maintain balance within the alliance while preparing for a strong electoral battle in the upcoming Assembly polls.
