Two Sitting MLAs Poised to Join Raijor Dal in Mid-February
In a significant political development in Assam, two sitting Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) are set to join the regional political party Raijor Dal, led by Akhil Gogoi, in mid-February. This announcement was made by the party's working president, Bhasco De Saikia, during a press conference held on Friday in Guwahati.
Confirmation of Joining and Timeline
Saikia revealed that the two MLAs have already provided confirmation of their intent to join Raijor Dal. The formal joining is scheduled to take place on February 17 and 18. However, Saikia chose not to disclose the names of the political parties these MLAs are currently affiliated with, adding an element of suspense to the upcoming political realignment.
Congress Alliance Deadline and Opposition Unity
In a move to streamline opposition efforts ahead of the assembly elections, Raijor Dal has set a deadline of January 31 for the Congress party to make a decision regarding a potential alliance. Saikia expressed concerns over the slow progress in forming a united opposition front against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), attributing the delays to internal issues within the Congress.
He emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, "When will we prepare the common minimum programme? When will we go to the people for taking suggestions and advice? Do we have enough time for that? If an alliance is formed just before the elections, we might not get the desired results." This highlights the party's strategic focus on timely collaboration to maximize electoral impact.
Raijor Dal's Stance on Alliance and Seat Sharing
Saikia further elaborated that Raijor Dal's extended executive has expressed willingness to remain in an alliance even if the party secures as few as 20 seats. This position has been formally communicated to the Congress, but as of now, no response has been received. The party has also noted that many ticket aspirants have already begun collecting application forms, indicating active preparation for the upcoming polls.
The developments underscore the dynamic nature of Assam's political landscape, with Raijor Dal positioning itself as a key player in the opposition's efforts to challenge the BJP in the forthcoming assembly elections.
