GUWAHATI: The national BJP leadership will in Delhi take the call on details of the seat sharing arrangement with its key ally Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) in the 2021 assembly elections, the state BJP organizing secretary Phanindra Nath Sarma said.
“Alliance with AGP will continue in the upcoming elections as well. But the call on seat sharing will be taken by the national committee. We cannot say anything right now,” he added.
The AGP was given 24 seats by BJP in the last assembly elections held in 2016, of which the party won just 14. BJP clinched victory in 60 seats. Meanwhile, AGP has said it would seek more seats this year, especially in those constituencies where the party has had a grip since 1985.
“Number of seats to be given to AGP may increase or decrease. They might seek more seats. It will depend on the decision of the national committee, which will scrutinize all aspects, including the public acceptance of a particular leader and BJP’s base in a particular constituency,” he added.
A reliable party insider said the party may not give seats to AGP where BJP has its strong base. “There are some seats like Guwahati West constituency where BJP has a strong base. Just 30% of the votes gained by current MLA Ramendra Narayan Kalita from AGP in the last election were his own. The rest 70% votes were for BJP. So, BJP is not likely to give those seats to AGP,” the source added.
The source also said there is a high chance of giving more minority seats to AGP in the upcoming elections.
Besides, the source said a few leaders from AGP, along with the main opposition Congress are likely to join the saffron party ahead of elections.
Already, Rajya Sabha MP Biswajit Daimary resigned from Bodoland People’s Front (BPF), accusing the party of hindering the implementation of the BTR Accord. He will join the saffron party, along with BPF legislator from Tamulpur Emmanuel Mosahary, on November 20. The move of both leaders has dealt a blow to BPF ahead of the general elections for the 40 seats of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC).