All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) general secretary Lurinjyoti Gogoi on Sunday said the actual need is for leaders, not political parties, who will not compromise with the issues of the state.

Speaking to The Telegraph amid the protests against the Citizenship Amendments Act (CAA) across Assam, Lurinjyoti said the agitation against the Act will continue till it is repealed.

He added that political parties based in New Delhi are unaware or are ignorant of the prime issues of Assam.

“Our issues are very different from the people of other states. Our regionalism is much more important than anything else and parties in Delhi need to understand this clearly. We need to protect our culture, identity, regionalism and language,” he added.

The AASU leader said though there is a demand to form a new political party, certain issues are involved.

“There is a need for an alternative leadership. But the actual need is leaders who will never compromise with Assam’s interest or let the state down at any cost. We need people who can raise their voices against the forces in Delhi. The Centre is trying to impose things on us. They are imposing Acts or introducing new rules, which we do not even need.”

Lurinjyoti added that discussions are on about forming alternative political parties but none of them would be successful unless they dealt with the issues of the state.

He claimed that even if the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), comes to contest the Assam Assembly election next year, it has to know and address the issues of the state. On Clause 6 of the Assam Accord, he said the Centre had asked for the report and it was submitted.

The Centre will have to implement the Clause 6 according to the committee’s recommendation, Lurinjyoti said.

The AASU has been one of the key organisations to conduct protests against the Act across the state.

Talks to constitute an alternative political party emerged from various quarters during the anti-CAA movement. The idea is backed by many.

Even parties like the All India United Democratic Front extended support to the proposed party by AASU leaders.