The Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday formed an anti-Congress bloc in the North East, reported NDTV. The chief ministers of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Sikkim have proposed joining the saffron party to forge the North East Democratic Alliance, party chief Amit Shah announced on Twitter.
The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Shah, hours after party leader Sarbananda Sonowal took oath as chief minister of Assam. Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is credited with the strategy and alliance that won the Assembly polls for the party, have been made the convener of the alliance. Sarma was earlier Assam Congress leader Tarun Gogoi's aide.
With the recent victory, announced on May 19, the BJP controls two of the seven states in the North East – Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. Manipur, Meghalaya and Mizoram are ruled by the Congress, while the Left is in power in Tripura.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!