Former Assam CM Prafulla Mahanta to not contest polls after BJP 'takes away' his seat

Mahanta's relations with the AGP leadership and BJP turned soar mainly because of his stand against the CAA since 2015

Former two-time Assam chief minister and founder of AGP, Prafulla Kumar Mahanta has decided not to contest the ensuing Assembly elections days after BJP "took away" his Barhampur constituency, from where he was elected six-times since 1991.

Mahanta's wife, Jayashree Goswami told reporters in Guwahati that the former chief minister, who championed the cause of regionalism since the Assam Agitation (1979-1985), was hurt over AGP's weak stand to defend regionalism.

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"It’s not just the question of a seat. Rather it’s the planned slaughter of regionalism in Assam, which has hurt him the most. The way the present AGP leadership has sold off the regional ideology to a national political party (BJP), shows the true character of the AGP leaders,” Goswami said.

After leading the Assam Agitation or the anti-foreigners movement as a student leader, Mahanta had signed the Assam Accord in 1985. He contested elections and became Chief Minister twice (1985-1990 and 1996-2001).

Mahanta's relations with the AGP leadership and BJP turned soar mainly because of his stand against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act in 2015. Mahanta also opposed the AGP's decision to form an alliance with the BJP in 2016. This, according to sources, angered the BJP leadership including its strategist, Himanta Biswa Sarma.

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Mahanta, however, managed to get the Barhampur ticket in 2016 and got elected again. But this time, according to AGP leader Phani Bhushan Choudhury, the BJP refused to give the Barhampur ticket to AGP. The BJP has fielded Jitu Goswami, who is believed to be Sarma's loyalist. AGP president and minister in Sarbananda Sonowal cabinet, Atul Bora on Sunday said the ticket was not given keeping in mind the party's chance to win the seat.

"But he will continue to fight for the protection of regionalism in Assam," Goswami said.

There were reports that Mahanta could join the Congress-led "grand alliance" but his decision against contesting election ended all speculation.

Assam is going for polling in three phases on March 27, April 1 and April 6.