GUWAHATI: It is not just political will, but an understanding with the government at the Centre that will help resolve the " migrant problem " in Assam - this is the line Asom Gana Parishad ( AGP ) is taking to regain support in the state after reuniting with BJP."AGP was not able to expel illegal migrants despite forming governments in Assam for two terms. It is the Union home ministry that holds the power to implement the Assam Accord, not the Assam government. We want to send strong leaders to the Lok Sabha ... If we don't come to an agreement with like-minded parties at the Centre, it won't be possible for us to make Assam free of illegal migrants," party president Atul Bora said. The Assam Accord was signed in 1985 after the six-year-long anti-foreigner movement ended.AGP had severed ties with BJP over the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, which would extend citizenship to non-Muslim migrants from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan . While the bill lapsed, BJP has said it will bring it back with some "modifications". AGP is back with BJP and has been facing the heat ever since."Of the three seats we are going to contest, we have shown our mettle in two - Kaliabor and Barpeta . Though we haven't registered a victory from the Dhubri Lok Sabha seat in the past, our party will be trying to change the equation in the backdrop of the changing political scenario," Bora, a minister in the Assam cabinet, said. Hitting out at Congress as a "life-long enemy", the AGP chief said the deal to go back to the coalition was struck "without sacrificing regional interests". "We fought from within the government to protect the interests of the state and its indigenous people. This uncompromising stance will continue even after our reunion with BJP," he added.Several leaders from the All Assam Students' Union (Aasu), the powerful student body that led the anti-foreigner protests in the 1980s, joined AGP on Wednesday - led by former student body vice-president Moni Madhab Mahanta. "Party workers must strive hard to register a victory for the AGP-BJP-BPF coalition, setting aside all differences," Bora said, welcoming the young brigade.Speculation is rife that Moni Madhab may be fielded from Kaliabor, up against Congress's Gaurav Gogoi, former chief minister Tarun Gogoi's son. Party insiders, however, say Moni Madhab's brother and minister in the state cabinet Keshab Mahanta is also being considered for the seat. Keshab has represented Kaliabor in the Lok Sabha in the past, defeating Tarun Gogoi in 1996.

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