Assam: BJP to continue alliance with AGP for Lok Sabha polls

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday revealed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Assam will continue its alliance with coalition partners the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and United Peoples Party Liberal (UPPL) for the upcoming Lok Sabha seats.

CM Sarma said that while the BJP will contest in 11 of the total 14 seats, AGP will contest on two and the UPPL in one seat.

“We will continue our friendship. BJP workers will work to ensure victories for AGP and UPPL candidates and their workers will help our candidates,” said Sarma, adding that the BJP was confident of winning 11 seats in the coming polls.

The UPPL will contest from Kokrajhar. This was agreed in a meeting of senior BJP leaders in Delhi on Wednesday, CM added.

The AGP will contest from Barpeta and Dhubri.

“After a series of discussions, it was agreed that the AGP would contest in two seats – Barpeta and Dhubri”, CM stated.

Kokrajhar seat is currently held by independent Naba Kumar Sarania. The Barpeta seat is represented by Abdul Khaleque from Congress, and AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal is the sitting MP from Dhubri.

CM Sarma indicated that the list of 11 BJP candidates is expected to be released soon and it is likely to have few new faces.