For opposition unity, AAP’s ‘biggest sacrifice’ in Assam a challenge to Congress

AAP has nominated candidates for 3 of the 14 seats in Assam. (document)

Guwahati:

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) today took a step forward to resolve the seat-sharing impasse with its ally Congress party in Assam, dropping its candidate from Guwahati as a “sacrifice”. The AAP also asked Congress to withdraw contenders nominated by both parties for representation.

The Congress and AAP are part of the India Bloc, which aims to unite against the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2024 elections, and talks are underway to allocate seats to allies.

The Arvind Kejriwal-led party had earlier nominated candidates for three of Assam’s 14 seats: Guwahati, Sonitpur and Dibrugarh. The Congress has announced that it will contest 13 seats and is expected to reach a seat-sharing agreement with its regional ally Assam Jatiya Parishad for Dibrugarh.

AAP has fielded Manoj Dhanowar from Dibrugarh, while AJP has announced Lurinjyoti Gogoi as its candidate for the seat. The BJP has nominated former chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal as its candidate from Dibrugarh.

The AAP said it had tried its best to maintain unity among the opposition in Assam and other parts of the country, and accused the Congress of announcing candidates while seat talks were still going on.

“We are completely shocked by this approach of the Congress. Isn’t this helping the BJP by dividing votes? Isn’t this helping the BJP? The people of Assam want the opposition to remain united. Only then can we defeat the people. PartyBJP,” said AAP.

AAP said it has decided to make the “ultimate sacrifice” by withdrawing its candidate from the Guwahati Lok Sabha seat to avoid any vote split in the opposition unity.

“We also demand the Congress and the United Opposition Forum to reciprocate our gesture and withdraw their candidates from Sonitpur and Dibrugarh Lok Sabha seats. Otherwise, it is clear that the Congress has ties with the BJP and is only trying to ensure that India The BJP fought hard to win,” AAP said.

AAP’s move comes after Assam Congress chief Bhupen Borah urged the AAP, CPI and CPM to join hands to contest the 2026 state elections, hinting at a possible change in the political landscape.

Congress and AAP have already reached seat-sharing agreements for the Lok Sabha elections in Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Goa and Chandigarh.

In Assam, another alliance partner, the Trinamool Congress, announced candidates for four seats. The Mamata Banerjee-led party is also going it alone in West Bengal after seat-sharing talks with the Congress failed.

The CPM also nominated a candidate and asked the Congress to withdraw its contender.