Asom Gana Parishad hopes for quick revival, convention in October

GUWAHATI: Three decades since its birth in 1985, Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) is facing its biggest test. Hoping to regain the confidence of the Assamese people, AGP is all set to hold a state-level political convention on October 14 to revive itself after continuous electoral setbacks since 2001.
After its president and two-time Assam chief minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta reneged party responsibilities on the grounds of ill health, AGP working president Atul Bora took charge as president to revive the ailing party.
"We have always said all national parties are the same. They never pay attention to the welfare of regional issues. The NDA government promised to bring about change but, in reality, they seem to be surpassing the UPA in ignoring the northeast. Regionalism is the only solution," said Bora after taking charge as president on Friday.
Bora said the party leadership will invite people and social organizations to join AGP. Interestingly, the party will also appeal to leaders who have left. "We will personally appeal to those who support regionalism. We want to make the party strong so that it can address regional problems," Bora said.
Former tourism minister Jagadish Bhuyan is the latest to quit the party, which has lost members like current Union minister of state with independent charge for sports and youth affairs Sarbananda Sonowal and former AGP president Chandramohan Patowary.
AGP plans to carry out several agitation programmes on various issues, including the cabinet's decision to provide refugee status to the Bangladeshi nationals, land swap deal, mega dam and price hike. The party will start its protest from July 19 by submitting a memorandum seeking the governor's intervention. Other protest rallies will be held on July 21 and August 4 in front of the state assembly.