Guwahati: Bhupen Kumar Borah, the president of Assam Congress, has attributed the breakdown of opposition unity in the state's Lok Sabha polls to broader national political dynamics. He emphasized that the decision for some opposition parties to contest independently was not a reflection of his leadership or state-level politics but rather a consequence of overarching national factors.
Speaking in an interview, Borah highlighted the formation of the United Opposition Forum, Assam (UOFA), which comprised 16 parties, eight months prior to the creation of the INDIA bloc. However, he noted that only three parties, including Congress, are directly contesting the Lok Sabha elections, with the rest opting to field candidates separately due to national-level considerations.
Out of the 14 parliamentary seats in Assam, Congress is contesting 13, reserving one seat for UOFA member Assam Jaitya Parishad (AJP). While AAP, Trinamool Congress (TMC), and CPI(M) are part of UOFA, their decision to field candidates independently in Assam reflects the complexities of coalition politics at the national level.
Borah criticized AAP's decision to contest all seats independently, despite an offer from Congress for a seat-sharing arrangement. He suggested that this move could backfire for AAP, positioning them as a minor player in Assam's political landscape.
Regarding TMC's participation in Assam, Borah clarified that there is no alliance with Congress in the state, as TMC primarily operates as a regional party in West Bengal. He asserted that TMC's reluctance to cede any seats in West Bengal influenced their stance in Assam.
Similarly, Borah highlighted the CPI(M)'s independent stance, noting its contest against Congress in Kerala while fielding a candidate in Assam. Despite these differences, Borah affirmed that all parties remain part of the opposition bloc against the BJP, and he pledged not to criticize them publicly.
Assam is scheduled to conduct elections in three phases on April 19, 26, and May 7. With the Congress holding three seats in the outgoing Lok Sabha, the state's political landscape remains dynamic, especially in light of BJP's dominant presence with nine seats.
The ruling BJP's stronghold in Assam, coupled with the diverse political landscape, underscores the significance of coalition dynamics in shaping the outcome of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
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