Opposition Unity Crucial to Stop BJP, Says Assam TMC Chief
Assam Trinamool Congress (TMC) president Ripun Bora believes that opposition unity is essential to stop the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after the elections. He asserts that the lack of joint opposition candidates in the state will not affect the Lok Sabha poll results or benefit the BJP.
Bora acknowledges that opposition parties are contesting against each other in some Lok Sabha seats in Assam. However, he emphasizes that this will not favor the BJP as the opposition, particularly TMC, has strategically refrained from fielding candidates in constituencies where another party has a strong base.
"The BJP won't benefit from the opposition not fielding joint candidates in the state as we have approached it tactfully," Bora said. "In constituencies like Jorhat, Nagaon, Dhubri, and Karimganj, we didn't allow the opposition to get divided and are hoping that Congress pools all the votes from our camp."
He further explains that TMC has not fielded candidates in seats where Congress is considered strong and capable of taking on the BJP. However, in constituencies where Congress is perceived as weak, TMC is contesting to prevent the division of anti-BJP votes.
Bora believes that people understand the opposition's strategy despite the apparent division. He claims that voters will analyze the situation and choose the strongest opposition candidate in each constituency.
Looking beyond the elections, Bora emphasizes the need for post-election opposition unity. "There is no other alternative. Only then we can stop the BJP," he asserts.
He expresses confidence in TMC's prospects in the four constituencies it is contesting. He believes that people are looking for a strong and uncompromising opposition, and TMC is emerging as the alternative to BJP in Assam.
"Though TMC had its presence in the state for several years now, it started functioning here in a big way in April 2022," Bora said. "It is the beginning. TMC will be the main opposition in Assam soon.