Bora said that the alliance has decided to push for the Old Pension Scheme if voted to power (Image: News18)
The meeting comes amid discord within the Opposition’s INDIA bloc after Assam Congress President Bhupen Borah stated that the party would “fight in 14 seats” in next year’s general elections
Fifteen opposition parties in Assam, including 12 national and three regional ones had a crucial meeting in Guwahati on Thursday, to discuss strategies for the upcoming Lok Sabha Election. Among the attendees were representatives from the Indian National Congress (INC), Trinamool Congress (TMC), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Shiv Sena, Janta Dal (United), CPIM and regional allies such as Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) and Raijor Dal (RD).
Addressing the media after the meeting, Assam Congress Chief Bhupen Bora said, “The key agenda is to defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). We have come together to create a consensus among the allies. Our main agenda is to create a common minimum programme among the parties.”
“We have decided that we are all ready to sacrifices to save the democracy. We will file one candidate from INDIA alliance in Assam. This will be done with consent of all parties in the alliance.” he added.
Further Bora said that the alliance has decided to push for the Old Pension Scheme if voted to power.
“We discussed about price rise and we created a unity committee which will decide how to go to the public. Most important will be a draft of a common minimum program by TMC chief Ripun Bora which will be submitted in the coming Dibrugarh Sabha of the alliance,” he added.
Change in Congress’ Stance
The meeting comes amid discord within the Opposition’s INDIA bloc after Assam Congress President Bhupen Borah stated that the party would “fight in 14 seats” in next year’s general elections.
Similarly a list of Assam Congress Pradesh Committee (APCC) with names of party candidates for the 14 Lok Sabha constituencies also went viral.
Reacting to the rumours of a crack in the INDIA bloc, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had earlier criticised the Congress’ state unit for their inconsistent stance.
“Today, they will contest alone; tomorrow, they will contest differently, and again, tomorrow, they will contest together. After all, the Bharatiya Janata Party will contest in 11 and a half seats, and it’s up to the others who will contest in two and a half constituencies,” Sarma said.
Seat Sharing
It must be noted that as the alliance has 12 national parties and three regional parties, the seat sharing within parties will be determined during the meeting supposed to take place in Delhi in the coming days. However, the fate of the three crucial regional parties– Assam Jatiya Parishad, Raijor Dal and Assam Jatia Dal– is a matter of question in the alliance.