Parties come together for autonomous body poll in Asom

Guwahati, Dec 23 (UNI) The anti-Congress and anti-BJP political parties in Asom, including AGP and its splinter AGP (P), today announced to support the ASDC-CPI (ML) candidates for the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council election, slated for January 6.

In a major development which is being viewed as an indicator of change of political equations in the state, the main Opposition party Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and its splinter group AGP (Progressive), led by former Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, have joined hands for the autonomous body polls.

The Asom United Democratic Front (AUDF), major players in the minority vote bank, and Bodoland People's Progressive Front (Rabiram), the main competitors of the BPPF faction in the Congress-led coalition at Dispur, have also joined the multi-party forum. Other parties in the forum include CPI, RSP, PLP and RCPI.

Announcing this after an all-party meet here, leaders of the forum said the main objective was to prevent the Congress and the BJP from winning the autonomous body polls.

The AGP and AGP (P) leaders, including Mr Mahanta, who was also present, refused to comment on whether the alliance signalled the merger of AGP (P) with its parent organisation.

AGP leaders also evaded a clear reply to the question, stating that they have come together to keep the opposition forces at bay.

UNI SG KK AD VV1641