Guwahati, March 20 (IANS). In a boost to opposition unity ahead of the Assam Assembly elections, Congress and Raijor Dal have formally signed a memorandum of understanding. Under this, Congress has agreed to give 11 seats to the regional party led by Akhil Gogoi.
As per the agreement, Raijor Dal will contest from Sivasagar, Dalgaon, Dhing, Sisiborgaon, Digboi, Bokakhat, Manas, Tezpur, Kaliabor, Margherita and Mariani constituencies.
The agreement is being seen as an important step towards consolidating anti-BJP votes in the state.
Apart from the allotted seats, both the parties have agreed to contest the elections “amicably” in Goalpara East and Gauripur constituencies, where candidates from both Congress and Raijor Dal will be in the fray.
The development comes amid ongoing efforts by opposition parties in Assam to form a broad alliance to take on the ruling BJP in the upcoming elections.
Speaking to reporters, Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president and Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi said there is a growing demand among the people for the opposition parties to unite to provide a credible alternative to the current government.
He said the Congress is currently engaged in alliance and seat-sharing discussions with Raijor Dal, Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP), CPI(M) and CPI (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation.
Gogoi urged other like-minded parties to come together and asserted that a united opposition would be in a better position to challenge the Himanta Biswa Sarma-led government in the state.
He said the proposed alliance aims to ensure inclusive growth, protect people’s land rights and work towards building a “new Assam”.
The Congress-Raijor Dal alliance could play an important role in shaping the electoral equations in many constituencies, especially in Upper Assam, where both the parties have a significant presence. Voting for the 126-member assembly will take place on April 9 and counting of votes will take place on May 4.
–IANS
SAK/PM