Assam rights activist Lachit Bordoloi joins AGP

GUWAHATI - Noted rights activist Lachit Bordoloi Sunday joined Assam’s main opposition Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) along with more than 200 followers at the party headquarters here.

“I decided to join the AGP as I always believe that there is still lots of relevance so far as regionalism is concerned,” Bordoloi said.

“I make a firm commitment to take the regional aspirations of the people of Assam forward by formally joining the party.”

Bordoloi, a leader of the Manab Adhikar Sangram Samity (MASS) and also a member of the People’s Consultative Committee (PCG), a civil society body chosen as an interlocutor by the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), was on several occasions in the past arrested on charges of aiding and abetting militancy.

He was also believed to be close to the ULFA - and particularly close to the outfit’s chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, now arrested and in jail.

Around 200 followers of Bordoloi too joined the AGP at a function presided over by party president Chandra Mohan Patowary.

“We welcome people like Bordoloi into the party as they are the people who really connect with the masses,” the AGP president said.

Bordoloi in all probability would plunge into active politics as he is sure to contest next year’s assembly elections from the Batadrawa seat.

“I cannot say if I would contest polls or not. My mission is to work for the AGP in whatever capacity I am asked to do so,” Bordoloi said.