MNF win good for regional forces, AGP must divorce BJP: Mahanta

Former Assam Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta said on Tuesday that the Mizo National Front's (MNF) electoral victory in Mizoram was good for regional forces and said he wanted his party AGP to divorce the BJP.

Mahanta, who led the six-year long Assam Movement between 1979 and 1985, congratulated MNF chief Zoramthanga over his party's victory and said that only a regional political party can meet the aspirations of the people.

The MNF has secured 26 seats in the 40-member House, restricting the ruling Congress to mere five seats.

"The MNF has succeeded against the joint attempt of the BJP and the Congress to stop the party from coming to power. It is a positive sign. The MNF has showed the path," said Mahanta.

"In Assam also, the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) has been able to gain people's faith over the years," he said.

Asked about the AGP's alliance with the BJP, Mahanta said: "I have suggested to the AGP leadership to come out of the alliance."

The gulf between the AGP and BJP is widening over the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016. While the BJP favours it, the AGP has expressed its reservation over the bill which according to it is detrimental to the rights of the indigenous people of Assam. - IANS