Minority MLAs divided over AGP poll pact

GUWAHATI, April 2: It seems AGP legislators belonging to religions minority community are divided on their view over the on-going efforts for the party's electoral alliance with the BJP although the party's general council today favoured it. While taking part in a discussion of the general council today, AGP Dalgaon LAC legislator Abdul Jabbar welcomed the move for an alliance with the BJP and hoped that religious minority community voters would continue to support the AGP even if it struck an understanding with the BJP. However, during an informal that with a few newsmen outside Rabindra Bhawan auditorium, the venue of the today's AGP general council meeting, party MLA Ali Abkar Miah, who represents Bilasipara (West) LAC, said from tomorrow he would undertake extensive tour of his religions minority-dominated constituency to take view of his supporters on possible AGP-BJP alliance. On the basis of his first-hand assessment in the constituency, he would decide on future course of action. However, he said: "I am capable of winning in my constituency on my own, irrespective of party alliance." At least three other AGP MLAs from religious minority community were conspicuous by their absence in the general council meeting.