GUWAHATI: Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Ripun Bora reiterated that the Congress would play the role of big brother in the grand alliance it is going to forge with All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) and other anti-BJP parties. He also stated that the chief minister would be from the big brother Congress.
“Despite the grand alliance, we would like to clarify that we will remain the big brother. There is no ambiguity in the fact that the chief minister must be from the Congress. Since the Congress will be the largest party, therefore the CM will be from our party,” Bora said.
He also stated that he is ready to become the chief minister if the high command allows me.
Earlier, AIUDF supremo Maulana Badruddin Ajmal said that Congress-AIUDF alliance had been confirmed. The AIUDF chief also visited former Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi who is being treated at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH).
Though the two parties have been urging for a grand alliance, no other parties have come forward to join hands with the Congress and AIUDF to fight against BJP.
On the other hand, the alliance with the AIUDF caused resentment within the Congress. Many leaders and workers came forward to oppose the alliance between Congress and AIUDF. The Congress workers particularly from the upper Assam expressed their dissent as they believe the camaraderie with the AIUDF would cause losses for the Congress in their constituencies.
Mariani MLA Rupjyoti Kurmi was among the fierce critics of the alliance.
Talking to media persons in the first week of September, Kurmi said, “I have been opposing the alliance with AIUDF. I fully oppose the alliance.”
However, MLA Kurmi advocated for a grand alliance to bring regional and left parties under the same umbrella.
“Congress will win 45-50 seats alone,” the Mariani legislator claimed.
