Guwahati, Aug. 8 -- The 2021 Assam Assembly elections offered a crucial lesson in opposition unity, or rather, the lack thereof. To understand why the anti-BJP forces failed to coalesce effectively, it's essential to revisit key events and decisions from that period.

The idea of a broad anti-BJP coalition was first floated during the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee's core committee meeting on August 18, 2020. Discussions revolved around forming a "Grand Alliance" with parties like the AIUDF, CPI, CPI(M), BPF (or UPP(L)), Anchalik Gana Morcha, Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti, and others. Then-Assam Congress president Ripun Bora, former chief minister Tarun Gogoi, Congress Legislature Party leader Debabrata Saikia, and deputy leader Rakibul ...