AGP alliance to finalise CMP

Guwahati, Apr 20: Leaders of Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), the Communist parties, Autonomous State Demand Committee (ASDC) and their election ally Bodoland Peoples' Progressive Front (BPPF) would meet in Guwahati to finalise a Common Minimum Programme (CMP).

The CMP would form the basis on which it would seek support from others to form a secular democratic government in the state, Communist Party of India (CPI) national executive member Pramode Gogoi said today.

Addressing mediapersons at the CPI state headquarters here, Mr Gogoi said informal talks on the CMP are continuing and the parties were hopeful of finalising the document before April 28.

''We have considered the common points of the election manifesto of the alliance parties to finalise the CMP,'' he said.

He said the newly formed Asom United Democratic Front (AUDF) might also join the alliance as it is also opposed to both the Congress and the BJP. The alliance leaders were in touch with the AUDF, he added.

Replying to questions, Mr Gogoi said the alliance would not seek support of the BJP and would continue to adhere to its anti- Congress and anti-BJP stand.

Saying that the alliance was optimistic of forming the next government in Asom, he claimed that AGP, CPI, CPI(M), ASDC and Rabiram faction of the BPPF would jointly cross the magic figure of 63 in the House of 126.

Together with the AUDF support, the coalition would be able to provide a secular and democratic government in the state, he said.

UNI