AGP rules out poll pact with BJP in Assam

AGP rules out poll pact with BJP in Assam
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

Guwahati, Mar 1: The ruling Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) today ruled out any poll alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the ensuing assembly elections in Assam.

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``There will be no poll alliance with the BJP for the elections'', AGP vice president Nurul Hussain told reporters here. The party, however, was holding talks with some of the NDA partners in Assam, he said.

To queries about possibility of a post-poll alliance with the BJP, party secretary Moidul Islam Bora said, "how can we say anything about that now".

Criticising the Congress, Hussain accused the party of "going against the interests of the state" by viewing the anti-foreigners Assam movement as detrimental to the state's causes.

AGP president and Chief Minister P K Mahanta had earlier said discussions were on with several small parties like both factions of the autonomous state demand committee, Bodo parties and also some minority fronts for alliances for the coming assembly elections.

The AGP was agreeable to seat adjustments if other parties were willing, Mahanta said.

"According to the assessment of the grassroot workers of the party, the people are happy with the AGP's performance and we are confident of giving another stable government on our own", he added.