A day after Grand Alliance swept elections in Bihar, there was clamour on Monday from Congress leaders in Assa... Read More

GUWAHATI/ CHANDIGARH/ DHANBAD: A day after Grand Alliance swept elections in Bihar, there was clamour on Monday from Congress leaders in Assam, Punjab and Jharkhand for a similar ‘magathbandhan’ in their respective states to take on the BJP.

Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi , who faces elections in less than six months, said he strongly felt that there should be a ‘ maha understanding ’ of anti-BJP forces to take on the ‘communal and divisive outfits’ in eastern India. “The success of the grand alliance in Bihar has made it imperative for us to explore understanding among like-minded anti-BJP forces in eastern region covering West Bengal, Odisha and Assam. The Grand Alliance’s victory is the victory of India’s secular and pluralistic values and it is going to have a far-reaching impact in the country’s politics,” said Gogoi.

Complete coverage — Bihar assembly polls

The Bihar verdict has prompted Gogoi to go soft on Assam’s main opposition party, All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), which is led by perfume baron and MP from Dhubri Badruddin Ajmal.

A few months ago, Gogoi went all out against AIUDF, alleging that the party has an understanding with BJP for forming a “BJP-PDP-like government in Assam”. However, since the last few weeks, Gogoi has hinted that he wants to give shape to a united platform of secular forces, including AIUDF, to stem BJP’s growth in Assam.

On Monday, Gogoi reiterated his backing for a platform of secular forces in Assam saying the alliance will not be on seat adjustment but on a broad understanding between the parties to check communal forces.

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“These days, AIUDF is talking tough against BJP. We want AIUDF and other secular forces in the state to have an understanding for preventing the rise of BJP’s growth. The election in Bihar has shown us the way. Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad Yadav will come for campaigning in Assam,” he said.

AIUDF, however, is still sticking to its anti-Congress and anti-BJP stand, saying it is exploring an alliance with parties opposed to Congress and BJP.

In Chandigarh, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee chief Partap Singh Bajwa echoed the need for a similar front saying the formula could be tried for 2017 assembly elections in the state.

“It is the considered view of the party. However, I cannot comment on whether Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) can be an ally,” he said. Terming SAD and BJP fundamentalist parties, Bajwa said that RSS had an agenda to saffronize Punjab, like other minority states and that’s why Bhagwat had toured the state earlier this year.

Senior Congress leader in Jharkhand, Sarfaraz Ahmad said had there been a similar platform before the assembly polls in Jharkhand last year, Congress and its allies would have been in a better position to take on the BJP.

“We had already proposed to our high command for similar alliances with like-minded people and regional parties, but nothing concrete could be done because of the vested interests of some senior leaders in the state”, said Ahmad.

