Polls over, it’s time for BJP to share pie

Guwahati: Mission accomplished, big brother of the alliance, BJP, now faces the daunting task of doing the balancing act in the ministry formation. BJP, which fell short of four seats to get a clear majority of its own, cannot undermine its partners, AGP and BPF, which have already raised their voices for their share of flesh.BPF chief Hagrama Mohilary reiterated that his earlier demand for four key berths in the ministry still stands. "There is no change in my demand. It is same — four portfolios," Mohilary said after a meeting of the alliance partners here. Mohilary wants the key portfolios of transport, agriculture, education and PWD.AGP leadership was not as vocal as Mohilary but threw enough hints that it expects a large share of the pie. "People of Assam have voted for us and we cannot let them down," AGP president Atul Bora said after his meeting with BJP leaders. The regional party, which ruled the state twice in the past, has returned to power riding piggyback on BJP after a 15-year-long hiatus. The Bodo outfit, on the other hand, has been in power as partner of Congress in 2006 and 2011. The party, which was borne out of now-disbanded Bodo Liberation Tiger militant group, has a policy of staying only with the ruling party.Sonowal, who is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Saturday, will discuss the formation of ministry with him. Sources said the BJP-led alliance is currently in a deadlock over distribution of ministerial berths.Besides satisfying the allies, BJP will also have to find out ways to rehabilitate former chief minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta. The AGP leader, who cannot be accommodated as a cabinet minister due to his previous stature as the chief minister, has sent out signals that BJP cannot ignore him.A few days before the results, Mahanta said Sonowal has been named as chief ministerial candidate by BJP only but the issue has never been discussed among the alliance partners. BJP leader Himnata Biswa Sarma clarified that BJP's decision to project Sonowal as the chief ministerial candidate was formally conveyed to AGP president Atul Bora.