Decline of Regionalism and Rise of BJP In Assam

Abstract

North East India have been historically dominated by Congress party. The congress party also known as the umbrella organization embracing various caste, communities and social groups has lost its social base. However, in the mid 1980’s Assam Gana Parishad emerged as a strong regional party and as an alternative to the Congress party. Over the past few years, particularly after 2014 General election, Bhartiya Janata party have witness a significant rise in popularity and influence in the northeastern state of Assam. Political stagnation of AGP and the diminishing dominance of Congress has led to the favorable condition of BJP’S rise. In alliance with the regional ethnic parties AGP and BPF, it won a total of 86 seats. Congress faced a drubbing with only 26 seats out of 122 contested. This unprecedented performance of the BJP, a party that so far had a total tally of only 37 seats in assembly elections between 1991 and 2011, is a remarkable feat in social engineering. Bhartiya Janata party made alliance with Assam Gana Parishad (AGP) and Bodo People’s Front (BPF) i.e. NDA; On the other hand, Congress made alliance with United Peoples Party in BTAD area as UPA. BJP won 60 seats outs of 89 seats in contested, AGP won 14 seats, BPF got 12 seats, Congress managed to get 26 seats, AIUDF got 13 seats and others 1. United peoples party failed to any seats.