BJP's Seat-Sharing Strategy Ahead of Elections: Key Insights from Himanta Biswa Sarma
BJP's Preparations for Upcoming Elections
Titabar, January 12: As the deadline of February 15 approaches for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to finalize its seat-sharing agreements within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has revealed that a preliminary framework is already established, with only about '10 to 12 seats' still under negotiation.
During a press interaction on the last day of the Chutia community festival at Birpal Khetra in Titabar, Sarma stated, 'A general arrangement for seat-sharing has been outlined. For example, AGP will contest in Bokakhat, while BJP will take Jalukbari. Only a few seats remain to be finalized.'
The Chief Minister emphasized that the BJP prioritizes candidate qualifications and public support over targeting specific constituencies. 'We will issue tickets based on candidates' performance, allowing voters to make informed decisions,' he asserted.
Sarma further noted that the evaluation of sitting MLAs will be rigorous. 'MLAs who have performed well will receive tickets; those who haven't will not. This will result in fewer aspirants in constituencies where MLAs have excelled,' he explained.
Additionally, he mentioned that the BJP will refrain from contesting in areas where the Muslim population exceeds 80%, indicating that approximately 22 such constituencies have been excluded from their list. 'Titabar is predominantly Hindu. We will not field candidates in constituencies with over 80% Muslim voters, which is why we have omitted 22 seats. We plan to contest around 103 to 104 seats,' he added.
Regarding Titabar, which currently lacks a BJP MLA, Sarma confirmed that a new candidate will be introduced. 'In constituencies without a sitting MLA, it is common to have six or seven individuals vying for tickets,' he noted.
In response to comments made during a Congress event in Jorhat, where newly joined Congress member Rejaul Karim Sarkar allegedly claimed that Sivasagar and Tinsukia would become like Dhubri, Sarma condemned the statement as 'serious and unacceptable.'
'A very serious and condemnable statement was made about turning Sivasagar and Tinsukia into Dhubri. What does that imply?' he questioned.
Sarma argued that demographic shifts in Dhubri have marginalized local communities. 'Dhubri was once home to Koch Rajbongshi and other indigenous groups. Due to the influx of Bangladeshi nationals, 80 to 85% of the population now has Bangladeshi origins, making Hindus a minority,' he claimed.
He further suggested that such remarks hint at similar demographic changes being planned for districts in Upper Assam. 'Transforming Sivasagar and Tinsukia into Dhubri means introducing Bangladeshi nationals there, similar to what has occurred in Dhubri, Barpeta, Goalpara, and Bongaigaon,' he stated, adding that Dibrugarh and Charaideo could also be impacted.
Debate on Identity
Sarma criticized Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi for not opposing the statement. 'Gaurav Gogoi should have immediately asserted, 'I am the MP of Sivasagar; let Sivasagar remain Sivasagar.' He failed to do so,' Sarma remarked.
In response to Gogoi's question, 'Who is Himanta Biswa Sarma?', the Chief Minister found the inquiry inappropriate. 'I am the son of Kailash Nath Sarma and Mrinalini Devi. I am an ordinary Assamese from a middle-class background. What more identity is needed?' he asked, questioning why Assamese identity is being challenged.
'Are Assamese people now being asked 'who are you' in their own state? Does this mean that an Assamese and Badruddin Ajmal are equivalent?' he queried.
Referring to former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, Sarma remarked, 'Tarun Gogoi used to ask, 'Who is Badruddin Ajmal?' Today, his son should be asking, 'Who is Rezaul Karim?' or 'Who is Rakibul Hussain?' Instead, they are questioning 'Who is Himanta Biswa Sarma?'