‘We are at No. 1’: Badruddin Ajmal takes dig at BJP, Congress ahead of Nagaon Bypoll

AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal on Wednesday, September 23 claimed that his party is currently in the “No. 1” position in the Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll, placing the BJP second and Congress third, as campaigning intensifies ahead of the October 6 election.

Addressing a poll meeting in Nagaon on September 23, Ajmal said the relative positions of the parties would become clearer as polling day approaches.

“We are at No. 1, BJP at No. 2 while Congress is at No. 3. This has already become clear. As the polling day nears, everything will be more clear,” Ajmal said.

Targeting the Congress, the AIUDF chief alleged that the party was repeating its earlier political allegations and campaign rhetoric.

“Congress always repeats the same old dialogues, the same old allegations. Congress is currently at No. 6. They have no other choice than giving dialogues,” he said.

Ajmal was also asked about BJP candidate Debashish Sharma’s outreach to Muslim voters during the campaign. Responding to the question, he said merely wearing a cap and offering prayers with Muslim voters would not be enough to establish trust among them.

“If he is wearing the cap, praying among the Muslim voters and speaking to them, that will not inculcate belief among the voters. He has to read the Kalma,” Ajmal said.

The AIUDF chief is contesting the Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll himself. The election has emerged as a contest involving AIUDF, BJP and Congress among the principal candidates, with 15 candidates currently in the fray after the withdrawal of three nominations. Polling is scheduled for October 6 and counting will take place on October 9.

As part of his campaign on Wednesday, Ajmal addressed five election meetings across the constituency. The meetings were held at Hatijoyua in the Rupohihat Assembly constituency, Shantijan Bazar in the Nagaon-Batadroba constituency, Kala Bazar and Dhaniabheti Powali Bazar in the Dhing Assembly constituency, and Boribazar in the Lahorighat constituency.

AIUDF workers and supporters attended the meetings, where Ajmal appealed for support for his candidature.

He was accompanied by several party leaders and workers, including former Dhing MLA Haji Aminul Islam, former Jania MLA Dr Rafikul Islam, AIUDF general secretary Rezaul Karim Sarkar, Shivaraj Asom and Chhatra Morcha leader Nasim Ahmed.

Ajmal, a three-time former MP from Dhubri, is seeking a return to the Lok Sabha through the Nagaon bypoll. The seat fell vacant after former Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi resigned and subsequently contested the Assam Assembly election from Dispur on a BJP ticket.