Guwahati: With counting day approaching, Assam’s six-party anti-BJP opposition alliance convened a dinner meeting for its assembly candidates at a resort in Guwahati on Sunday evening amid concerns over possible “poaching”, similar to incidents seen in past elections across the country, sources said.The gathering, officially described as a dinner meeting, focused on keeping the alliance intact as leaders expressed growing confidence of victory ahead of the May 4 results. Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief Gaurav Gogoi attended the meeting along with senior leaders from all six parties, including Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP), Raijor Dal, and the Left.Gogoi said Assam had suffered over the last decade under BJP rule, particularly during CM Himanta Biswa Sarma’s tenure. “In the coming days, our aim will be to unite, strengthen, and make Assam powerful again. We won’t be satisfied with the assembly election results alone — the real work begins after the results,” he said.Referring to promises such as justice for Zubeen, relief from economic distress, stronger rural infrastructure, restoration of peace and harmony, and a development model for Natun Bor Asom (new greater Assam), Gogoi said many voters had supported Congress and its allies for the first time.“I’ve received messages that many who previously supported BJP and its allies have shifted their votes to Congress and opposition alliance this time,” he added.AJP president Lurinjyoti Gogoi said “good news” would come on May 4, when counting takes place. “The CM’s latest body language reflects how badly BJP will be defeated,” he remarked.Senior Congress leader and leader of the opposition Debabrata Saikia said, “We were informed that the candidates of Congress and its alliance partners have been invited for dinner and a meeting by our president. Hopefully, talks will be held on some matters besides dinner.”Saikia said Congress and its allies would win, adding that while he earlier hoped to win by at least one vote, he now believed the margin would be much larger. “After using so much money and temptation, the people of Assam will reject BJP,” Saikia predicted.
