Assam BJP rules out pact with AUDF

Guwahati, Apr 20: Newly-appointed BJP vice-president Bijoya Chakraborty today hinted at a possible alliance with the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) to defeat the ruling Congress in the state in Lok Sabha polls next year.

She, however, ruled out any pact with the Asom United Democratic Front (AUDF) due to 'ideological differences'.

Addressing the media after being appointed the BJP central committee vice-president yesterday, Ms Chakraborty said, ''The party is weighing options of coalition with like-minded and ideologically similar parties in Assam.'' She said that a poll tie-up with the AGP was a possibility as both the parties believed in similar principles, dismissing any pact with the AUDF as the latter did not share the BJP's principles and beliefs.

Ms Chakraborty exuded confidence on the BJP retaining its present Lok Sabha seats tally in NE, adding that it was premature to speculate whether the party would gain further.

On her possibility of contesting from Guwahati parliamentary constituency that she had held earlier, she said the decision would be taken by the party's central leadership.

To a poser on BJP joining the AUDF and Left parties in the state Assembly during walk outs, she said the coordination on the floor of the House was issue-based and it was aimed at making the ruling Congress answerable to the difficulties of the people.

The Opposition parties back each other in case of sensitive issues, like price rise and allied matters, to pressurise the government to perform, she added.

Pointing that growth and development of NE was not possible until the twin issues of insurgency and infiltration were addressed, the former Union minister said she would take up the issues with the BJP's central leadership and urge them to pressurise the Centre to resolve these problems on a priority basis.

UNI