2 years on, BJP-AGP alliance under strain

GUWAHATI: We will oppose the (government’s) move to amend Citizenship Act (favouring religious immigrants) tooth and nail ATUL BORA, president, Asom Gana Parishad, alliance partner, Assam

As Assam celebrated Rongali Bihu last Sunday, a clash erupted between the two ruling partners of the state — Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Scores of workers of the two outfits fought over allotment of sheds of a market in Chaygaon, nearly 50km from Guwahati, marking a tense phase in the alliance although leaders dismissed it as a local issue. Nine people were injured from both the parties, which came together in 2016 ahead of the assembly elections.

“We came together...with the sole intention of ending 15 years of Congress misrule. But we won’t compromise on our ideals and goals,” AGP president Atul Bora said. There has been a disagreement between the two over the proposed amendment to the Citizenship Act to grant citizenship to religious minorities from neighbouring countries. AGP is against the change as it fears it will lead to surge in influx of Bangladeshi Hindus in the state.

“We will oppose the move tooth and nail,” said Bora.

However, BJP chief spokesperson Rupam Goswami said the party’s ‘vision document’ had clearly stated its stand on providing citizenship to religious minorities, not just from Bangladesh, but from other neighbouring states too “This has been our stand since the beginning.”