Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and the Future of Regional Politics in Assam

In recent decades, Assam's political landscape has witnessed a large number of confrontations due to rise of regional political forces like the AsomGanaParishad (AGP). AGP was born out of the socio political unrest and the cultural identity crisis caused due to various concerns around the illegal immigration from Bangladesh having potential that threatened the demographic and cultural fabric of the state. Formation of AGP in 1985 ushered in a new period of regional politics in the country and the party climbed onto the important crusader role for safeguarding Assamese identity and autonomy. Even though AGP began from a successful start, the party’s rise and eventual fall questions the future viability of regional parties in Assam. In this paper, AGP’s story is discussed as one of historical and political significance which while addressing the question, ‘how has the AGP brought about such a decisive change in the character of Assamese politics and how had this come about through its distinct manner of engaging with the question of regional identities and examining the place of the regional identity within the larger discourse of regionalism in Northeast India?’ The challenges that AGP encountered in preserving its influence are evaluated by scrutinizing the electoral patterns, political dynamics, and landmarks like the Assam Accord, and the opportunity (still there) for regional parties operating in Assam’s changing political situation is investigated. The paper also studies the role of regionalism in the future of Assam claiming that although the political milieu has changed, circumstances have yet created a context for a resurgence of regional political forces if the regional political forces can adjust with the shifting voter concerns and demands.