Fractured identities: politics in a multi-ethnic state
- 1999
- p.2492-501
- 21 Aug & 28 Sep
Unlike most other Indian states where regionalism is being articulated in terms of one dominant cultural community, in Assam a number of smaller ethnic communities are beginning carve out areas of influence through their respective parties. While the Asom Gana Parishad representing `Asomiya' interest has begun to have a presence in the non-Assamese speaking areas which had been Congress strongholds, regional issues have dominated the elections in the Bodo and Karbi areas. None of the national parties including the BJP which has registered an impressive growth, have been able to present an effective challenge to these regional forces. - Reproduced