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Assam BJP Seals Seat-Sharing Deal, 3 Congress MLAs Defect Ahead of Polls

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that seat-sharing talks between the BJP and its NDA allies in Assam are complete, pending final approval from the party's central leadership. The announcement coincided with three suspended Congress MLAs formally joining the BJP in Guwahati. A Union Minister stated that such defections reflect support for the BJP's ideology and criticized the Congress's candidate list. These developments occur just ahead of the upcoming Assam Legislative Assembly elections.

Key Points: Assam BJP Completes Seat-Sharing, Congress MLAs Join Ruling Party

  • NDA seat-sharing deal finalized
  • Awaiting BJP Central Board approval
  • Three Congress MLAs join BJP
  • Congress candidate list criticized
2 min read

"Seat sharing talks now complete, will need approval from Central Parliamentary Board," says Assam CM ahead of assembly polls

Assam CM Himanta Sarma says NDA seat-sharing is complete, pending central approval. Three Congress MLAs defect to BJP ahead of assembly elections.

"Last night, we have completed our discussions... our talks on seat sharing are now complete. - Himanta Biswa Sarma"

Guwahati, March 5

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday stated that the seat-sharing arrangement between the Bharatiya Janata Party and its alliance partners in Assam has been settled. The Chief Minister noted that the finalised arrangement is currently pending a formal review by the party's Central Parliamentary Board, and a formal announcement will take 2-4 days.

Himanta Biswa Sarma, while speaking to reporters, said, "Last night, we have completed our discussions with the Asom Gana Parishad, Bodoland People's Forum, and Rabha Hasong Joutha Sangram Committee. As far as the NDA is concerned, our talks on seat sharing are now complete. However, we will need approval from the Central Parliamentary Board. Therefore, it will take 2-4 days for the formal announcement."

While welcoming the new members, the Chief Minister further said, "Today, 3 Congress MLAs have joined our party. This is a big day for the BJP. I am sure this reflects the growing popularity of the BJP and the respect people have for Prime Minister Narendra Modi."

Meanwhile, 3 suspended Assam Congress MLAs Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha, Basanta Das, and Sashi Kanta Das joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the State BJP headquarters in Guwahati in the presence of state party president Dilip Saikia, ahead of the Assembly elections.

Congress leaders switching to the BJP ahead of the polls is likely to mount trouble for the party, especially after last month, former Assam Congress chief Bhupen Kumar Borah joined the ruling party.

Union Minister of State (MoS) Pabitra Margherita told ANI, "Leaders and functionaries from other parties, especially Congress, are joining the BJP today. They are showing their support for our ideology."

Further, Margherita said that Congress's list of 42 candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections lacks "freshness."

The All India Congress Committee (AICC) on Tuesday announced its list of 42 candidates for the upcoming Assam Legislative Assembly elections.

According to an official release, the list includes Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi (Jorhat), Bitupan Saikia (Golaghat), Abdus Sobahan Ali Sarkar from Gauripur, Markline Marak from Goalpara West (ST), Girish Baruah from Bongaigaon, Mahananda Sarkar from Barpeta (SC), and Ramen Singh Rabha from Boko-Chaygaon (ST).

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priyanka N
The Congress MLAs joining BJP shows which way the wind is blowing. People are tired of the same old politics and want leaders who deliver. PM Modi's leadership is a big factor.
A
Aman W
While alliances are important, I hope the seat-sharing truly represents the people of Assam and not just political convenience. The focus should remain on issues like flood management and job creation.
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Sarah B
Interesting to watch from an outside perspective. The consolidation of regional parties under a national alliance seems to be a strong strategy. The defections from Congress are quite significant.
K
Karthik V
Respectfully, this constant switching of sides just before elections makes me question the ideology part. Are they joining for development or for a ticket? The voter is not foolish.
N
Nisha Z
Hope the new candidates, whether from BJP or Congress, will focus on women's safety and education in Assam. We need concrete plans, not just political announcements.

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