The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), a key ally of the BJP-led Assam government, on Thursday announced that the regional party wold go solo in the upcoming panchayat polls.
Speaking at the booth workers’ conference at Khanapra here, AGP leader Ramendra Narayan Kalita said that the party will fight panchayat polls alone.
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He said that the huge presence of booth workers in the conference has proved that the party has gathered strength in the grassroot level.
Kalita’s announcement assumed significance given the fact that BJP president Amit Shah in a meeting here recently had asked the state BJP leadership to reconsider the decision to go it alone in the panchayat election, reiterating the party’s decision to keep its partnership with allies AGP and BPF intact for the Lok Sabha election next year.
Panchayat polls in the state are likely to be held in May this teaser.
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AGP legislator Kalita further said that the party would snap its tie with BJP if the Central government goes ahead with the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016.
“We are ready to snap ties with BJP for the sake of national interest. AGP never continue with its alliance with BJP at the cost of national interest,”Kalita added.
In 2016 assembly polls, AGP and BJP had an alliance and both the parties registered resounding victory.
Party president and State Agriculture Minister Atul Bora said that he is ready to resign as minister at the interest of the party and the people of the state.
“We are ready to sacrifice to make the party stronger. Even if situation demands, we ready to resign from the ministry. Not ministerial berth but the interest of the party and the people of Assam is our top priority,” Bora said.
Bora reiterated that the party would continue to oppose the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016.
“We have already told Prime Minister Narendra Modi to follow the clauses of Assam Accord which endorses that irrespective of any religion, caste and creed, anyone who has come to India after March 25, 1971 is a foreigner. We cannot accept identifying forefingers on religious lines,” Bora said.