Senior BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday said some leading anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act protesters seem to be drifting away from their core agenda by dwelling on forming a new political party, an idea that emerged at the launch of the statewide anti-CAA agitation early last month.

Speaking to reporters on the eve of the BJP’s meeting of elected representatives here, Sarma said, “If they are thinking of forming a new party, they should also think about other issues and give equal importance to those.”

“Till the protesters engage themselves in democratic movement, we have no issues but once they form a political party, the BJP will tackle them politically. The protesters are talking more about politics. This shows that they want to join politics using the issue of the sitizenship Act,” he added.

Singer Zubeen Garg should not join politics as he is an idol for several people in Assam, Sarma said.

“He is the pride for everyone in Assam, including the BJP and other political parties,” he added.

Talks of forming a new party also saw the Opposition Congress say during the day that it was open to join hands with the anti-CAA and anti-BJP forces.

“We have no objection to be with the anti-CAA and anti-BJP forces for the interest of Assam,” said Assam PCC president Ripun Bora.

Former Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi said the Congress will return to power in 2021. He, too, said the party was open to join the anti-CAA forces. The Congress’s comment has come a day after BJP president Ranjeet Kumar Dass claimed that the BJP would retain power in 2021, fulfilling its Mission 100, that is winning at least 100 of the 126 seats with its ally. Golaghat MLA Ajanta Neog said Dass’s statement reflects the BJP disrespect towards the protesters.

The Asom Songrami Mancha, a new regional political party, also urged the people to protect the state by unseating the BJP from power.

“It is time to start a political fight in Assam with the new nationalist social and economic policies. We started this political journey and sought everyone’s cooperation in the fight. To save Assam from the BJP, we have welcomed every Assamese believing in nationalist ideology,” said Adip Phukan, the working president of the Mancha.

“Assam does not need any party or government which imposes itself on its people. The CAA has nullified the Assam Accord,” he added.

Additional reporting by Rokibuz Zaman