GUWAHATI: The All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) of Ajmal Badaruddin has scripted an alliance with the JD(U) and RJD for the assembly polls on Thursday. Declaring a grand alliance of “secular parties” in Assam and invited Congress to join them to fight BJP in the forthcoming assembly polls.
AIUDF chief and Lok Sabha MP Badruddin Ajmal said the reporters. “We wanted a grand alliance in Assam of all secular parties on the lines of the recent Bihar polls to fight jointly against BJP and its communal politics.”
He said.”We had discussion with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and RJD chief Lalu Prasad in this regard and asked Congress to join us in our effort to fight against BJP and prevent the party from finding a foothold in Assam.”
Ajmal said, we wanted Congress and AGP to join us along with JD(U) and RJD in Assam , but “AGP went ahead with BJP and Congress did not act, maybe due to certain compulsions”.
He said.”We, however, once again invite Congress to join us even now. We are ready to welcome them to the grand alliance so that we can fight against the communal forces which have already taken roots in the state”.
Arun Kumar Srivastava ,JD(U) general secretary and northeast in-charge said people of Assam were disturbed with BJP and its brand of politics and false promises. He said.”We have done this arrangement to keep at bay BJP like we did in Bihar. Our door is open for Congress. Still there is time.”
He also said that the Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar had discussion for an alliance with the Asom Gana Parishad the latter opted to join hands with the BJP. Rubbishing that there was a secret understanding with BJP, Ajmal said, “if Congress joins us, the Mahagathbandhan will be complete.”
He said that ”Kumar and RJD chief Lalu Prasad will campaign for his party in the state.”
Entering into a poll pact with JD(U) and RJD is an ample proof that we are opposed to BJP,” he said.
“BJP had earlier given the impression that there is no alternative to the party and its leader Narendra Modi but was defeated badly in Delhi, Bihar and other recent elections,” he said.
Kanak Gogoi, RJD state convenor urged Congress to join the alliance as “Assam is a secular state and we will not allow BJP to gain a foothold in the state”.
AIUDF will contest around 76 seats and announced a list of 19 candidates for the second phase today while a list of 23 candidates for the first phase has been already announced.
Both JD(U) and RJD will contest around 12 seats and they announced a list of five candidates each today.
Nitish Kumar, Lalu Prasad Yadav and Sharad Yadav are scheduled to campaign for the alliance partners for the ensuing polls.
AIUDF is the principal opposition party in Assam bagging 18 seats in the last Assembly polls.