GUWAHATI: All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) chief Badruddin Ajmal asked all political parties fighting the BJP in Assam to treat Bihar polls as a lesson and form a grand alliance so that votes are not divided which might ultimately benefit the saffron camp.
Both the Congress and AIUDF are advocating for a “grand alliance” comprising the Left, newly-formed AJP, Raijor Dol, among others to oust the incumbent BJP government from Dispur in the “interest” of Assam.
“In a democratic and secular country, one can’t stop a party from fielding a candidate. However, if the AJP, Raijor Dol, AIUDF, Congress do not fight together, BJP will undoubtedly benefit from it as votes will get divided. There is no other way other than a grand alliance. Bihar is an example of that,” Ajmal said at the Guwahati Press Club on Wednesday.
Ajmal, while speaking about allegations by Congress that Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM helped the BJP in Bihar, said everyone has the right to field their candidates but votes should not be divided. “I will not make any personal comment on Owaisi. It is his choice to field candidates in Bihar. We, too, can compete in Bihar if we want to. However, the main thing is that votes should not be divided so that BJP can’t take advantage of it,” the AIUDF chief added.
Ajmal once again reiterated that there will be no chief ministerial or deputy chief ministerial candidate from his party. “We will continue to advocate for the alliance which is good for Assam. We are working on it and are hopeful that everything works out.”
Congress sources said the alliance will be final only after confirmation from the high command. AIUDF and Congress insiders admit a tactical understanding can help both parties put up a strong fight against the BJP.
Ajmal also said that Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma should focus on governance instead of making controversial and sensitive remarks.
In the current House, the BJP is the single-largest party with 60 MLAs, while its allies Asom Gana Parishad and Bodoland Peoples Front have 14 and 12 legislators respectively. The ruling coalition also has the support of an Independent MLA. The Congress has 23 MLAs, while the AIUDF has 14.