“If AIUDF is BJP’s B team, then the Congress is BJP’s A-plus team": AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal

All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) chief Badruddin Ajmal on Thursday launched a scathing attack on both the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing the two national parties of political opportunism and asserting that driving the BJP out of Assam would be AIUDF’s principal electoral agenda.

Responding to allegations that the AIUDF functions as the BJP’s “B team,” Ajmal turned the charge on the Congress, stating, “If AIUDF is called the BJP’s B team, then the Congress is the BJP’s A-plus team.” He alleged that several senior Congress leaders accept money from Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, claiming that he possesses evidence to support his assertion.

Ajmal further accused the Congress of neglecting Upper Assam, claiming that the party has failed to establish a strong organisational presence in the region. Predicting a poor electoral performance, he said the Congress would not be able to secure more than 20 seats in the forthcoming Assam Assembly elections.

Outlining his party’s electoral strategy, Ajmal announced that the AIUDF would field candidates in 35 constituencies. He maintained that the party would avoid contesting merely for the sake of splitting votes and would only enter races where it has a realistic chance of winning.

Taking a swipe at political critics, Ajmal questioned attempts to marginalise him, asking, “If I am labelled as zero, then what are Akhil Gogoi and Lurinjyoti Gogoi?” He also claimed that out of 17 political parties in the state, at least 15 lack any significant grassroots presence.

Ajmal said the AIUDF would soon clarify whether its primary political adversary in the coming election would be the Congress or the BJP, adding that he has several reasons for opposing the BJP, which he said he has already articulated publicly.

Questioning the frequent political use of the term “Miya,” Ajmal asked whether it constituted a real issue or was being used deliberately to polarise voters.

On his own electoral plans, Ajmal said he does not intend to contest the upcoming elections personally but added that he would reconsider if the party leadership requests him to do so.

Criticising the Chief Minister, Ajmal took strong exception to remarks allegedly made about Muslims, saying that while the Chief Minister comments on the personal lives of Muslims, no one questions the Chief Minister himself. He went on to liken the Chief Minister to authoritarian figures such as Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini, describing him as a tyrant and alleging that Assam has never seen a more oppressive Chief Minister.

Reiterating his criticism of the Congress, Ajmal said the party must demonstrate seriousness by strengthening its work in Upper Assam. He added that if Congress leader Rahul Gandhi can clearly assure that the Congress will form the government and effectively address minority issues, he would be willing to dissolve the AIUDF.

Ajmal also accused the Congress of holding secret meetings with politically insignificant parties at a city hotel, alleging backroom manoeuvres without public mandate. He reaffirmed the AIUDF’s opposition to vote manipulation and the National Register of Citizens (NRC), positioning these issues as key components of the party’s political stance.