GUWAHATI: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has indicated that the political landscape of the state is set for a major development ahead of the upcoming elections. Speaking to the media on Friday, he announced that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its long time ally, the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), are close to finalising their seat sharing arrangement. According to the Chief Minister, the discussions are progressing smoothly and the alliance agreement is expected to be completed by January 15. Our correspondent reports that this timeline has been set with the intention of preparing a clear and united electoral roadmap before the Magh Bihu festivities begin.
Sarma emphasised that the AGP is likely to receive a substantial share of the constituencies under the alliance. He explained that the BJP leadership recognises the long standing relationship between the two parties and intends to strengthen it further as they move toward the polls. The Chief Minister had recently held a detailed meeting with senior AGP leader and cabinet minister Keshab Mahanta. Following this meeting, he confirmed that formal negotiations with the AGP would commence shortly and that most issues have already reached an understanding in principle.
According to the Chief Minister, discussions between the BJP and the AGP have advanced far more than in previous election cycles. He stated that the BJP is willing to work together across many constituencies and is open to allowing the AGP to lead in a majority of them. He clarified that this cooperative approach reflects the mutual respect between the two partners as well as their shared political objectives. He added that similar engagement would also be initiated with other regional bodies, including the Rabha Hasong organisation and the Gana Shakti platform, to ensure a broader regional consensus.
Sarma explained that the goal is to complete all talks before January 15 in order to finalise the alliance structure. He said that the state government and the party organisation do not wish to delay the process and that finalising the alliance early will enable leaders and workers at the grassroots level to begin campaigning with clarity and confidence. Our correspondent notes that this early finalisation could give the alliance a strategic advantage by allowing them to plan events, outreach and candidate announcements in a systematic manner.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the BJP dedication to promoting young leadership within the party. He expressed the intention to introduce a larger number of young faces and more women candidates in the upcoming elections. He pointed out that the BJP has been working consistently to increase youth representation. For example, he mentioned the election of Taranga Gogoi as an illustration of the party commitment to nurturing young leaders. He added that this time, the party hopes to field candidates even younger than Gogoi and that the BJP wants to remain an organisation that inspires the next generation of political participants. According to Sarma, the enthusiasm and innovative energy of young leaders play a crucial role in strengthening democratic engagement across the state.
In contrast, Sarma criticised the Congress, accusing the opposition party of being distracted by internal disputes rather than focusing on issues concerning the public. He stated that a recent Congress meeting was dominated by discussions about the number of BJP hoardings in various areas, rather than substantive policy matters. He also remarked that the Congress leadership had spent two hours in an online meeting attempting to identify who leaked internal information, only to discover that the individuals responsible were themselves present in the meeting. According to Sarma, such incidents reflect a deep internal confusion within the party. Our correspondent observes that the Chief Minister spoke with a tone of confidence while comparing the organisational discipline of the BJP with what he described as the disarray within the Congress.
Sarma further claimed that Congress workers themselves lacked confidence in their party electoral prospects. He argued that development projects visible across the state have influenced public opinion strongly in favour of the BJP led government. He pointed out that regions such as Umrangsho and Karbi Anglong had suffered neglect for many years during the Congress rule. According to him, only after the BJP came to power did these regions experience real progress, peace and stability. He said that earlier, unrest was frequent in these areas and military presence was routine. Now, he added, development initiatives have taken centre stage and the local communities are witnessing tangible improvements.
The Chief Minister concluded by reiterating that the BJP and its allies are committed to continuing this development oriented approach. With alliance talks nearing completion and preparations for the elections intensifying, our correspondent believes that the next few weeks will be crucial in shaping the political narrative in Assam.
