In a significant development, Akhil Gogoi, the President of Raijar Dal (RD), announced today that the Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) and Raijar Dal (RD) are on the verge of merging into a single entity.
Gogoi disclosed that preliminary discussions have concluded, paving the way for formalization post-election. The convergence is noteworthy given that both parties, founded in 2021 with similar ideologies, originated from different backgrounds: former All Assam Student Union (AASU) members gravitated towards AJP, while others rallied under the banner of RD.
However, tensions exist within the AJP camp regarding Gogoi’s leadership style, with accusations of a lack of collective decision-making. Despite this, Gogoi remains a prominent figure in Assam politics, being the sole MLA from the anti-BJP regional camp.
As the BJP solidifies its position and experiences an influx of Congress members, both AJP and RD struggle with manpower, collectively contesting only a fraction of Assam’s 126 constituencies.
While ego clashes persist among opposition regional parties, there is a tacit acknowledgment within leadership circles that survival outweighs the imperative to present a formidable alternative to the ruling BJP.
The potential merger signals a pragmatic approach towards consolidating resources and bolstering electoral prospects, underscoring the evolving landscape of Assam’s political dynamics.