Assam Election: Congress set to surrender Dalgaon fort to AIUDF?

GUWAHATI: Call it salacious gossip or pre-election conjecture, but it appears that the Congress party is all set to face a massive challenge from the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) in Lower Assam's Dalgaon Constituency.

 

Apparently, the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), the Grand Old Party's formidable ally in the ensuing polls, is all but certain to assert its dominance in Dalgaon, which is a traditional stronghold of the Congress.

 

Recently, AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal officially declared Mujibur Rahman as the party's candidate from the Constituency, right under the Grand Old Party's nose.

 

Pre-poll electioneering is indicative of the fact that 3-time MLA Ilias Ali, a well-known political figure, is set to face stiff resistance from Mujibar Rahman of the AIUDF, who clearly seems to have momentum on his side.

 

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Today, Inside Northeast's Janata Express reached the Congress' stronghold for 'publicspeak' sessions with the janata ahead of the polls. However, somewhat shockingly, no one from the Congress turned up to partake in the discussion, which turned heated at times.

 

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Does this mean that the Congress is allowing its ally AIUDF to walk away with the last laugh in this Constituency?

 

It is pertinent to mention here that ahead of Assembly polls in Assam, Congress and Badruddin Ajmal-led AIUDF have joined hands to offer an alternative to the ruling BJP in the state.

Congress and the AIUDF, along with four other political parties, declared the formation of a 'Grand Alliance' in January.

 

In a joint press conference held in Guwahati, the leaders of Congress, AIUDF, CPI, CPI (M), CPI (ML) and Anchalik Gana Morcha said all six political parties have decided to form a 'Grand Alliance' for the greater interest of the people of the state and to "save Assam".

 

The BJP, a part of the ruling alliance in the state, has for the longest time termed the two parties' closeness as an "unholy alliance", and Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has warned that Ajmal might become chief minister if they are able to form a majority.

 

However, the Congress, which is by far the largest opposition party, has asserted time and again that the CM candidate will be from the ranks of the Grand Old Party.