Asom parties aspire to have slice of power

Guwahati, Apr 23 (UNI) With the prospect of a fractured mandate looming large in Asom, the smaller political groups are gearing UP to work out a strategy to form a group to capitalise on the fluid situation of government formation.

All political parties are almost certain that neither, the ruling Congress nor its arch rival regional Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), will to win enough seats in the 126-member Asom House to form a government on their own although the two parties are claiming otherwise.

Sources said former Chief Minister and leader of the newly-floated Asom Gana Parishad (Progressive) Prafulla Kumar Mahanta has decided to cobble up a cohesive groups of smaller parties after the poll results are out so that together these parties can have some say in the formation of the next government in the state.

The AGP(P) initiated move has both the factions of Bodo people's Progressive Forum (BPPF), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), the Assam United Democratic Front (AUDF) and some independent candidates with chances of winning in its scheme of things.

The AGP (P) was formed as consequence of Mr Mahanta's expulsion from the parent party.

However, it has a difficult task ahead to bring smaller political groups under one umbrella given that the NCP is most likely to take side with the Congress in the event of a hung Assembly.

There is already a tug of war among different lobbies within the Congress to woo the AUDF, led by perfume mogul Badaruddin Ajmal. The AUDF nurtures an ambition to play the kingmaker as it hopes to win more than 20 seats.

Similarly, the BPPF faction, led by former rebel leader Hagrama Mohilary, is known for his inclination towards the Congress, while the other faction of the Bodo party, led by Rabiram Narzary, is inclined towards the AGP.

Out of the other political parties, the CPI (M), CPI, Autonomous State Demand Committee (ASDC), Samajwadi Party (SP), Trinamool Gana Parishad (TGP) fought election as allies of the regional AGP.

The third formidable force in the state politics, the BJP remains confident of holding the key to formation of the next government in the state. Political observers do not rule out a possible AGP-BJP understanding after the results are out to achieve their common goal of keeping Congress at bay.

It may be mentioned that throughout the electioneering in the state, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi had been accusing the BJP and the AGP of having tacit understanding.

However, both parties have denied the charge levelled by Mr Gogoi.

However, post-poll reality might bring both the parties closer given they have almost similar stand on the burning issue of infiltration. In the pre-election chapter, the AGP was apprehensive of a tie-up with the BJP because it was wary of antagonising religious minorities and viewed it not as a friendly party.

UNI XC SJC/AK RK1140