Mondeep Kuli
Volume-XIV, Issue-IV, JULY 2026
Volume-XIV, Issue-IV, July 2026 | ||
Received: 06.06. 2026 | Accepted: 09.07.2026 | |||
Published Online: 31.07.2026 | Page No: | |||
DOI: 10.64031/pratidhwanitheecho.vol.14.issue.04W. | ||||
The Transformation of Regional Political Identity in Assam: The Case of
AGP (1985–2026)
Mondeep Kuli, Research Scholar, Dept. of Political Science,
University of Science
& Technology, Meghalaya,
India | |
Since the late twentieth century, the politics of Assam has become increasingly influenced by regional political
identity. In 1985, the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) was formed as one of the
outcomes of the Assam Movement
(Assam Agitation) against
illegal migration into Assam and for the protection of Assamese
identity, culture and political rights. The AGP evolved as a powerful regional
political party and formed the government in Assam in its early years.
Nevertheless, the state’s political scenario was modified over the years
because of shifting political leaderships, internal rifts, national political
trends and rise of the BJP. The AGP's
regional political identity
has changed over time between
1985 and 2026.
The study undertakes a qualitative research method
based on books, journal articles, government reports, election data, newspaper
reports, and official documents.
The study traces the historical evolution of AGP, its
journey in elections and leadership, and covers its responses to changing
political issues such as citizenship, development, and regionalism. Although
AGP effectively shielded
Assamese regional identity
in the initial years, it lost its political
clout. This happened
due to organizational incapability along
with leadership disputes
and the evolving concerns of the voters. The
regional identity has not vanished.
Rather, it has been expressed
through a different political actor in public debate. The study states that the evolution
of regional political
identity in Assam captures the changing dynamics
of Indian federal politics,
voting behavior and the regional and national political forces.
| |
Keyword:
|