GUWAHATI: A group of 171 prominent citizens of Assam on Tuesday appealed to the Congress and the regional Raijor Dal to iron out their differences and join hands to defeat the BJP in the April 9 elections.
Notably, the two parties could not come together after failing to stitch a seat-sharing deal. The Congress heads a five-party Opposition front which also has Assam Jatiya Parishad, CPI(M), CPI(ML) and All Party Hill Leaders’ Conference.
These smaller parties hold sway in pockets. In a joint statement, the citizens’ group, comprising academicians, intellectuals, social activists, and professionals, said that as Assam stands on the cusp of a critical Assembly election, the political trajectory of the past decade had reached a decisive juncture.
“For those of us who believe in a democratic and secular future for our state, the necessity of resisting the incumbent BJP administration is no longer a matter of choice, but an imperative,” said the citizens group, led by scholars Hiren Gohain, Nagen Saikia, retired Director General of Police Harekrishna Deka, former Archbishop of Guwahati Thomas Menamparampil, and Rajya Sabha member Ajit Kumar Bhuyan.
The group said those in Assam, seeking an alternative to the BJP-led regime, were looking toward a unified Opposition with immense hope.
“In this context, the decision of the Congress and other Opposition parties to form a consolidated front is a highly commendable and welcoming step. However, it is deeply concerning that despite the formal announcement of election dates, a definitive seat-sharing agreement between the Congress and the Raijor Dal remains elusive,” the statement said.
According to the group, the current deadlock, reportedly over a mere one or two seats, is a matter of profound public frustration. “It is a simple, undeniable fact that a fragmented Opposition only serves to strengthen the very forces we seek to challenge. If these two parties fail to reach a consensus, the repercussions will be felt across the entire alliance and, ultimately, by the people of Assam,” the citizens wrote.
They requested the leadership of both parties to rise above narrow partisan interests and prioritise the collective welfare of the State, stating that the goal of providing a democratic alternative must outweigh local seat-based disagreements.
“We urge you to reach an immediate consensus and finalise a strategic alliance. By doing so, you will not only strengthen the Opposition’s electoral prospects but also send a powerful message of hope and solidarity to every citizen who desires a change in Assam's political landscape,” they further stated.
