AIUDF to contest only one seat in Assam by-elections, says Badruddin Ajmal

Guwahati (Uttam Hindu News): Badruddin Ajmal, chief of the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), announced that his party will contest only the Samaguri Assembly seat in the upcoming by-elections scheduled for November 13. Initially, Ajmal had indicated plans to run candidates in three seats—Dholai, Samaguri, and Bongaigaon—but has since narrowed the focus to Samaguri. This decision follows a significant defeat in the Lok Sabha elections, where Ajmal lost to Congress' Rakibul Hussain by over 10 lakh votes. Hussain has held the Samaguri seat since 2001, and this election will see his son, Tanjil Hussain, representing Congress.

The BJP is aiming to unseat Congress in Samaguri, actively campaigning with top leaders. Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah expressed confidence that the people of Samaguri are ready to support the BJP, citing years of perceived misrule by Congress. Recently, tensions between BJP and Congress supporters escalated, leading to reports of a scuffle; however, Mallabaruah attributed the conflict to internal issues within Congress.

State BJP chief Bhabesh Kalita voiced strong optimism regarding the by-elections, asserting that the ruling alliance is poised to win all five seats. He emphasized that four of the constituencies have been represented by BJP or alliance members, and pointed to the party's mandate from the recent Lok Sabha elections as a sign of support. Kalita expressed confidence that the BJP will secure victory across the board in the upcoming polls.