Srikanta Deka has fought many electoral battles for more than three decades now, always drawing strength from the story of the Battle of Saraighat, where the Ahom army led by Assam’s most celebrated military general Lachit Borphukan had dealt the decisive blow on the invading Mughal forces in 1671. As a dedicated member of the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), ever since the party was formed in 1985, Deka, 60, has also experienced the joys of victory and despondency of defeats in equal measure. But the elections this time has proved to be the toughest for the veteran—he has been forced to campaign for the BJP candidate in Guwahati and also try and convince voters why the AGP had to renew its alliance with the ruling party. But it’s easier said than done.