Opposition parties in Assam are making a third attempt to form a united front against the ruling BJP ahead of the Assembly elections next year. Congress leaders, including state in-charge Jitendra Singh Alwar, held discussions with leaders from Raijor Dal, Assam Jatiya Parishad, CPI(M), CPI(M-L), and Independent Rajya Sabha MP Ajit Bhuyan on Wednesday. Assam Congress chief Gaurav Gogoi emphasized the need for a Congress-led government to provide relief from divisive politics and create an alternative to the current leadership. While no formal alliance has been announced, other Opposition leaders expressed optimism. Previous attempts to unite failed in November last year over seat-sharing disputes during bypolls and again earlier this year before panchayat polls. Regional parties Raijor Dal and AJP are expected to demand significant seat allocations in any future arrangement. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma dismissed the efforts, citing repeated past failures among Opposition parties.
Opposition Parties Seek Third Unity Attempt
This marks the third attempt by Opposition parties to forge an alliance. Initial efforts began in 2023 under former Assam Congress chief Bhupen Borah, presenting a united front before last year's Lok Sabha elections. However, disagreements over seat-sharing collapsed the alliance ahead of Assembly bypolls in November. Another revival attempt before this year's panchayat polls also failed. Regional parties Raijor Dal and AJP are likely to seek the highest number of seats among Opposition partners. Raijor Dal leader Akhil Gogoi announced in September that his party wants to contest 36 seats, while AJP aims for 14 to 16 seats out of 126 Assembly constituencies. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma criticized the efforts, referencing four years of similar meetings that ended in internal disputes.
Source: Link