Former Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi on Saturday said the Congress would form an alliance with the AIUDF in the state to win the 2021 Assembly elections in the state — a stand which has not been endorsed by other state leaders as yet.

The three-time chief minister said here: “There are 90 per cent chances of forming an alliance with the AIUDF. If the BJP can form an alliance with anyone, why can’t the Congress? Earlier, I had opposed any alliance with the AIUDF, but now I am for an alliance to check the ruling BJP from getting another term in 2021. I am sure the BJP will not do well because of the ongoing economic slowdown and unfulfilled promises.”

Gogoi’s public stand is seen in political circles as an attempt to start building public opinion and preparing Congress workers for such an eventuality given the ground reality instead of waiting for the last minute to announce such alliances which more often than not backfire.

This is not the first time Gogoi has tried to ally with the AIUDF. There were discreet moves even before the 2016 Assembly polls, which the Congress lost badly after three straight terms. Such moves were defeated from within the party which feared losing the critical Upper Assam belt where the AIUDF is mostly seen as a party which represents illegal migrants.

There were also reports of the Congress joining hands with the AIUDF for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, but later both decided to contest separately.

However the AIUDF did not field candidates in several constituencies, especially Kaliabor, Nagaon and Barpeta where the Congress won. The AIUDF won the Dhubri seat, accusing the Congress of betrayal by putting up candidates in Karimganj and Barpeta, seats they had won in 2014.

The bypoll results exposed the Congress’s weaknesses. Most believe only an alliance with the AIUDF can help either party in a close contest with the BJP.

Gogoi said: “We accept we lost all seats in the bypolls. There were drawbacks in 2016 and in the bypolls. We lost the last Assembly election because we were unable to provide tickets to young candidates. That was one key reason people did not choose us.”

Gogoi’s stand on alliance was, however, not shared by other party leaders. Assam Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Debabrata Saikia said the party high command would decide on alliances. “I feel it is too early to think about alliances. It is time to focus on strengthening the party.” PCC spokesperson Apurba Bhattacharjee said there was no decision on an alliance with the AIUDF.