GUWAHATI: Leader of opposition and senior Congress leader Debabrata Saikia on Monday said the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) can never be an alternative to the Congress in Assam. Amid concerns about the Congress’s future after the grand old party drew a blank in the Guwahati Municipal Corporation election, some political analysts have applauded AAP’s growing influence in the state.

AAP won in one ward in the GMC polls and in 24 wards their candidates came second. Saikia called AAP and BJP two sides of the same coin, accusing Kejriwal of gaining mileage in politics by chanting Hanuman Chalisa. He was also critical of AAP’s alleged “weak stand” on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. “The Congress has made certain mistakes and we will correct them. But AAP is not an alternative to the Congress. In fact, various instances in Delhi reveal that AAP has agreed on BJP’s several points,” said Saikia.

Referring to the recitation of Hanuman Chalisa and the religious programmes organised by Kejriwal, Saikia said, “for us, religion is a personal matter”. “The people of Assam have not forgotten AAP’s role when sit-in protest demonstrations were held in Jahangirpuri and various places in Delhi,” he added.

He also questioned the integrity of the leaders of the India against Corruption movement, which Saikia said was aimed at derailing the Congress-led government. “Where is Anna Hazare? Kiran Bedi was appointed lieutenant governor. Likewise, another key member of the movement, Kejriwal became the chief minister. All are part of the anti-Congress force, some in AAP, others in BJP,” Saikia said. Nevertheless, he admitted that it is a matter of concern that Congress leaders are deserting the party at a critical time. However, he said, the party would groom new leaders.

AAP in charge of Assam, Rajesh Sharma, told TOI, “We are not here to take away the Congress vote bank. AAP entered Assam to give a new alternative as is evident in the low polling percentage (53%) in the GMC election. “The Congress is not a strong opposition against the BJP. In fact, they are part of the BJP and that’s why they could not send Ripun Bora to the Rajya Sabha,” said Sharma.

In the RS election from Assam last month, several parties alleged that some of the Congress legislators voted against their candidate Bora.

News Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/aap-cannot-replace-congress-in-assam-says-debabrata-saikia/articleshow/91082062.cms