Fissures have emerged within the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Assam, highlighted by the United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) reaching out to the BJP for clarification on its status in the alliance ahead of the upcoming Assam Assembly elections. This inquiry is particularly urgent for the UPPL, following the entry of its rival, the Bodoland People’s Front (BPF), into the NDA. In a letter from UPPL general secretary Raju Kumar Narzary to BJP state president Dilip Saikia, the party expressed discomfort over recent political developments and conflicting statements from different BJP leaders. The UPPL’s Core Committee has requested formal confirmation of its status regarding the NDA as tensions rise, particularly due to the lack of a seat-sharing agreement with the BPF, which has contributed to an atmosphere of uncertainty. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s suggestion that the UPPL and BPF resolve seat-sharing amongst themselves has led the UPPL to feel increasingly marginalized within the NDA framework.
