With eye on Assam polls, BJP asks state leaders to end rifts

Eyeing next year's Assam polls, the BJP high command has asked the state leaders to end their differences and make sure that they do not come out in the open, sources said. The BJP has also asked state office-bearers to prepare a 100-day programme to be implemented in the state from September.

New Delhi: The BJP has now turned its focus towards Assam as well, which is expected to go to polls next year, as it asked state leaders to bury their differences, a source said.

With Assam expected to go to polls in the first half of 2021, BJP national general secretary (organisation) BL Santhosh had visited the northeastern state last week.

The senior BJP leader held multiple meetings on August 27 and 28, and reportedly asked the state office-bearers to prepare a 100-day programme, which the party could implement state-wide beginning September.

On the condition of anonymity, a BJP leader from Assam revealed that in the meetings, Santhosh said that the high command wanted state leaders to end internal rifts, and make sure that they do not come out in the public.

The development assumes significance as it comes amidst reports of long drawn friction between Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and state cabinet minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Interestingly, Sarma had earlier expressed that he was not interested in contesting in next year's state Assembly elections.

According to sources, the BJP is considering getting Sarma elected to the Rajya Sabha and might make him a Union Minister.

Read:New political parties shoot up ahead of Assam 2021 polls

Meanwhile, the party has given clear instruction to the state leaders to put special focus on 'local for vocal', 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' and the 'seva saptah' being organised for PM Modi's birthday.

According to sources, the party has decided that it will go ahead with Sarbananda Sonowal as its CM face, and has hence given instructions to leaders in the 28,000 booths and 399 mandals to discuss the present government's achievements at the meeting.