Lurin Jyoti Gogoi is the new face of Regionalism in Assam?

GUWAHATI: While the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is riding high after its triumph in the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) election, where it is part of a coalition Government for the first time, the election prospects of the newly-floated Asom Jatiya Parishad (AJP) seem to be gathering momentum each day. Yesterday, the party saw the joining of two high-profile personalities during a two-day Convention in Sivasagar, during which it will take its 'final shape.' Lurin Jyoti Gogoi, a student leader who rose to prominence following his fiery opposition to the Citizenship Amendment Act, and MLA Pabindra Deka, one of the founding members of the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), joined the party amid much fanfare.

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Today, Lurin, who is the party's most prominent face, was elevated to the post of Party President and proclaimed that the AJP will contest in each of the 126 Assembly Seats of Assam, as it seeks to wrest power away from the ruling BJP-AGP-BPF combine. While the BPF is all but certain to be dropped from the alliance next year, the AGP and the BJP are all set to renew the alliance heading into the polls. Although BJP's President Ranjeet Dass has scoffed at the idea of the AJP posing a threat, the ongoing 'Lurin fever' depicts a different picture altogether.

Although the expectations are high, so is the confidence. If the words of the AASU's present General Secretary are anything to go by, confidence in Lurin as the man who can lead the AJP to triumph over regional parties is sky-high at the moment.

"We believe he will be the torch-bearer of regionalism in the region. He will be able to defeat the politics of betrayal," Baruah told Inside Northeast. "AASU hopes that the new regional party, AJP, will be able to form the Government. The AASU, despite staying true to its apolitical nature, will extend its support to the AJP."

Manjit Mahanta, senior journalist from Assam, is more circumspect and believes that "only time will tell" in which direction the party's, as well as its protagonist Gogoi's, future heads.

"Although people are in want of a new regional force, they are not completely assured. It is to be seen in which direction they take the party forward," Mahanta said, adding, "However, there are some elements in the AJP who have been known to betray regionalism in the past. It is to be seen how their leaders redeem themselves. Another question that arises is -- how will the AJP collect enough money to fund candidates in the 126 Constituencies in such a short time? I believe that they should concentrate on their sureshot candidates. They can approach other parties so as to prevent vote-sharing."

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