The ruling BJP in Assam is poised to formalise its seat-sharing arrangement with its NDA partners by February 15, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Wednesday. Speaking to mediapersons on the sidelines of an official programme on Wednesday, Sarma said he had met Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss the seat-sharing agreement with NDA partners for the upcoming Assembly elections in the state, scheduled to be held in March-April this year. “Our seat sharing and other details related to the alliance will be finalised by February 15. Last night, I went to meet the union home minister and discussed the matter. Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) president Hagrama Mohilary was also present during the meeting,” the Chief Minister said.
The BJP currently has an alliance with AGP, United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) and Bodoland People’s Front (BPF). Besides, Rabha Hasong Joutha Sangram Samiti (RHJSS) and Janashakti Party (JP) are also NDA constituents in Assam. “We are likely to formalise our seat-sharing arrangement with the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and other smaller NDA allies by February 15,” he said. “Prior to this meeting, UPPL president Pramod Boro had also met Shah. I also had a long discussion with AGP president Atul Bora. Our discussions are going on. We will amicably decide on a seat-sharing agreement and there will be no issue at all,” Sarma said. He, however, did not share the reason for the delay of a month in finalising the seat-sharing agreement and other details for the elections. Sarma also said new faces invariably have an advantage in every election and this time will not be different.