‘Horse-trading’: COVID scares away hiding AIUDF men from Jaipur

JAIPUR: As many as 16 All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) who had gone to Rajasthan, allegedly to foil the BJP's horse-trading bid, have returned to Guwahati over fears of contracting the COVID-19.

"In all, a total of 17 party candidates had gone to Rajasthan for relaxation purposes after the election. One of them returned earlier. Today, 16 of the candidates came back due to the rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in Rajasthan. They feared that they might not be able to return to Assam if they contract COVID-19 there," an AIUDF spokesperson told InsideNE.

At least 17 candidates had been shifted to Fairmont hotel in Jaipur exactly a week ago and were expected to be in Jaipur till around May 2.

Today, 16 of them landed at the airport in Guwahati's Borjhar around 3 pm.

According to reports, the Congress party was bearing the cost of their stay in the Congress-ruled state.

The candidates made a brief halt at Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s residence before proceeding to the airport.

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Aminul Islam, a candidate from Mankachar constituency in Assam, had recently said that "the risk of horse trading is there."

In the outgoing Assembly, the AIUDF holds 14 seats. It contested 19 seats this time (including in alliance with the Congress, and is in alliance with Congress as a part of the ‘Mahajot’ (grand alliance).

The Congress-AIUDF alliance hopes to win several constituencies of western Assam where the minority votes play a crucial role. This time,

The three-phase polls to the 126-seat Assam Assembly had concluded on April 6.

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