AGP unification negotiation begins

Guwahati, May 13 (UNI) High-level negotiations today began as a part of the AGP's unification process, with the AGP and the AGP(P) holding closed door meetings here.

Both parties, along with other splinter groups like Trinamool Gana Parishad(TGP) and Purbanchaliya Loka Parishad(PLP) had already, by principle, decided to merge, but the terms and conditions were now being negotiated.

The leaders of both the parties met here this afternoon to bargain the details of the formal unification. The AGP team was led by Working President Phani Bhusan Chouhdury, while the AGP(P) was led by former minister Gunin Hazarika.

The Spokesman of the AGP Atul Bora, who was also present at the meeting, said the meeting went off well in accordance with the stand taken by the all the parties to unite.

The AGP will be separately meeting the TGP and PLP in next few days. Each of the groups has their own demands and conditions which are being accommodated.

Mr Bora added that the whole process would take more than a month but at the end, all the factions of the AGP would unite.

The Opposition regional forces of Assam were realigning to take on the Congress. The AGP has taken the lead in bringing together all its splinter forces while carefully picking up partners from the tribal groups.

There are reports that AGP and BJP are close to reach a seat sharing deal for the Lok Sabha. The move has already made the political situation hot in Assam with Congress working overtime to stop the unification.

''Whatever be the effort of the Congress, the regional forces will unite and throw away the Congress in the next Assembly election,'' said Mr Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, the two time former Chief Minister of the state.

UNI MT LL GL VC1652