The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) leadership on Thursday said that they will emerge as a stronger force in the ensuing panchayat election in Assam.
Addressing a strong gathering of thousands of party members and general public who gathered at the Khanapara veterinary college ground in Guwahati from various parts of Assam on Thursday for the AGP booth level meet, agriculture minister and AGP president Atul Bora said that the importance of the role of regional parties has been increasing.
“Regionalism has always been relevant and it’s increasing day by day. We have to be stronger for the sake of the future of people of Assam. Our grass-root workers are very crucial for us for the panchayat election,” said Bora.
He reiterated that his party will never compromise with the Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2016 which enables citizenship to the non-Muslims of the neighbouring countries.
“The Hindu-Bangladeshi issue has been a major issue in the recent times. I’m telling…though we are the part of the government, under no circumstances that will be compromised,” added Bora.
On the issue of pre-poll alliance with the BJP in the panchayat elections, the AGP president said that it will be decided by the gross-root and booth level workers.
“Though we are part of the government, we will decide what our party workers and public decide. We don’t have any high command. Our strength is our grass-roots. We went together with the BJP in the assembly elections just because you wanted and similarly, if you want us to go together we will do the same and if you decide otherwise, that will be followed,” said Bora.
Former two-time chief minister and AGP founder president Prafulla Kumar Mahanta said that only a regional party can really bring the desired development and fulfil the dreams of people.
While delivering his speech, Mahanta also hinted that without the support of a strong regional party no one has been able to form government which has already been proved in several places of the country.
“You must come together to get the panchayat seats under your grasp. This is the high time to show the strength of the AGP. AGP ruled the state in two terms and during that tenure the state never witnessed any kind of communal violence,” Mahanta added.
