GUWAHATI: Assam Trinamool Congress (TMC) president Ripun Bora has stressed on the need of opposition unity to counter the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) post-election.
Ripun Bora, the Assam TMC chief asserted that absence of joint opposition candidates in the state would not significantly impact the Lok Sabha elections results or benefit the BJP.
Bora stated that although opposition parties are competing against each other in certain constituencies, particularly TMC, refrained from fielding candidates where another party has a strong foothold to effectively challenge the ruling regime.
“In strategic constituencies like Jorhat, Nagaon, Dhubri and Karimganj, we prevented opposition fragmentation, ensuring that Congress consolidates votes from our camp,” the Assam TMc chief stated in an interview with news agency PTI.
He added, “Where Congress is well-positioned to confront the BJP, we, particularly TMC, refrained from dividing votes. However, in constituencies where Congress lacks strength to oppose the BJP, TMC is contesting.”
TMC has fielded candidates in four constituencies of Assam in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, including Kokrajhar and Barpeta, where polls are scheduled in the third phase on May 07.
“People have realized that although the opposition may seem fragmented, we have strategically fielded candidates. Voters will analyse and support the most robust opposition in each constituency,” he asserted.
Highlighting the importance of opposition unity post-election, the Assam TMC chief stated, “After elections, opposition unity is vital. There is no alternative. Only then can we counter the BJP.”