Map 1.1 Location of Assam
3.1 The Assam Movement and genesis of the AGP
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The trajectory of factional politics in the Asom Gana Parishad
Chapter 3
62 Map 3.1 Legislative Assembly constituencies in Assam
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63 Table: 3.1
List of Legislative Assembly Constituencies in Assam
Sl.No. Name of the LAC Sl.No. Name of the LAC Sl.No. Name of the LAC
1 Ratabari 44 Jania 87 Barhampur
2 Patharkandi 45 Baghbar 88 Samaguri
3 Karimganj North 46 Sarukhetri 89 Kaliabor
4 Karimganj South 47 Chenga 90 Jamunamukh
5 Badarpur 48 Boko 91 Hojai
6 Hailakandi 49 Chaygaon 92 Lumding
7 Katlicherra 50 Palasbari 93 Bokakhat
8 Algapur 51 Jalukbari 94 Sarupathar
9 Silchar 52 Dispur 95 Golaghat
10 Sonai 53 Gauhati East 96 Khumtai
11 Dholai 54 Gauhati West 97 Dergaon
12 Udharbond 55 Hajo 98 Jorhat
13 Lakhipur 56 Kamalpur 99 Majuli
14 Barkhola 57 Rangiya 100 Titabar
15 Katigorah 58 Tamulpur 101 Mariani
16 Haflong 59 Nalbari 102 Teok
17 Bokajan 60 Barkhetry 103 Amguri
18 Howraghat 61 Dharmapur 104 Nazira
19 Diphu 62 Barama 105 Mahmara
20 Baithalangso 63 Chapaguri 106 Sonari
21 Mankachar 64 Panery 107 Thowra
22 Salmara South 65 Kalaigaon 108 Sibsagar
23 Dhubri 66 Sipajhar 109 Bihpuria
24 Gauripur 67 Mangaldoi 110 Naoboicha
25 Golakganj 68 Dalgaon 111 Lakhimpur
26 Bilasipara West 69 Udalguri 112 Dhakuakhana
27 Bilasipara East 70 Majbat 113 Dhemaji
28 Gossaigaon 71 Dhekiajuli 114 Jonai
29 Kokrajhar West 72 Barchalla 115 Moran
30 Kokrajhar East 73 Tezpur 116 Dibrugarh
31 Sidli 74 Rangapara 117 Lahowal
32 Bongaigaon 75 Sootea 118 Duliajan
33 Bijni 76 Biswanath 119 Tingkhong
34 Abhayapuri North 77 Behali 120 Naharkatia
35 Abhayapuri South 78 Gohpur 121 Chabua
36 Dudhnai 79 Jagiroad 122 Tinsukia
37 Goalpara East 80 Marigaon 123 Digboi
38 Goalpara West 81 Laharighat 124 Margherita
39 Jaleswar 82 Raha 125 Doomdooma
40 Sorbhog 83 Dhing 126 Sadiya
41 Bhabanipur 84 Batadroba
42 Patacharkuchi 85 Rupohihat
43 Barpeta 86 Nowgong
Source: https://wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_constituencies_of_Assam_Legislative_Assembly as retrived on 17th January, 2016.
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In the wake of the changing political scenario, the leaders of the movement decided to form a political party enabling themselves to contest the forthcoming election in December 1985, so that the objectives of Assam Movement could be materialized.
As such, the AGP as regional political party of Assam came into being during a three-day political convention (Jatiya Abhibartan) held in Golaghat, from October 12 to 14, 1985.
All the leaders of the AAGSP who played crucial role in the Assam Movement, came together to form the AGP on 14 October, 1985. Brindabon Goswami49 as the convener of the preparatory committee, appointed by the AASU for the Jatiya Abhibartan, made every attempt to unite all the organizations and leaders who were active during the Assam Movement. Though there were differences between the AASU on one hand and Purbanchaliya Lok Parishad (hereafter PLP) on the other, regarding the Assam Accord, yet all the stakeholders of Assam Movement participated in the formation of the AGP. The Asom Jatiyatabadi Dal (hereafter AJD), and the PLP two important regional political parties active since 1978 onward merged with the AGP. However, one faction of the AJD chose to keep distinct identity and opposed its merger with the AGP under the leadership of Guna Gogoi.50 The Plain Tribal Council of Assam (hereafter PTCA), Karbi Anglong People’s Conference and Cachar Indigenous People’s Forum promised full support but refrained from joining the newly formed regional party. A 38 member state committee was formed. Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, former president of the AASU, became the President-in-chief in the apex body, along with another five senior leaders nominated as Presidents. Thus, the AGP adopted a Presidium system of leadership. The regional party emerged in the political scene of Assam with flying colors. It swept the Assam Assembly election held on 16th December, 1985, securing 64 seats and formed the Government in Assam. Prafulla Kumar Mahanta became the youngest Chief Minister ever in constitutional history of India at the age of 38.
49 Brindaban Goswami, one of the former AASU leader played significant role in the Assam Movement. He became the Education Minister in the first AGP government in 1985 and the President of the party in 2001.
50 Samir Kumar Das, Regionalism in Power, (New Delhi: Omsons Publications, 1997), 5.
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In the Lok Sabha election held on the same day AGP could bag 7 seats out of the total 14 in Assam.
Table 3.2
Performance of the AGP in the Assembly election of 1985 Name of the party Election to Assam Legislative
Assembly
Election to the Lok Sabha
AGP 64 7
Congress 25 4
UMF 17 1
PTCA 3 1
Congress (S) 4 1
CPI (M) 2 0
Independents 10 0
Total No. of Seats 126 14
Source: Niru Hazarika, “Asom Gana Parishad”, Indian Journal of Political Science, Vol.49, No.1 (1988):
99
N.B: The AGP candidates fought the election as independents, because the party was yet to be recognized by the Election commission of India (ECI). So the vote% secured by the party in this election couldn’t be determined.
One of the notable features of this election was the emergence of the United Minorities Front (UMF) with an objective of safeguarding minority interests in Assam. The ideology of the UMF was squarely opposite to the AGP. Again, it was evident from the result that the electoral base of the Left parties dwindled in Assam. As a whole, the emergence of the AGP meant the end of one-party dominance in Assam which was enjoyed by the Congress party since independence. Victory of the AGP was hailed as the triumph of regionalism. After the election the party was recognized by the Election Commission of India (ECI) as a state party with elephant as its electoral symbol. AGP enjoyed second term in office during 1996-2001. Precisely, the AGP added a new chapter in the wagon of democracy in Assam.