Guwahati: Keeping the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) in the dark, the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), has started bargaining for seats directly with the All India Congress Committee (AICC) in New Delhi for the Assam Legislative Assembly Polls.
AIUDF President Badruddin Ajmal recently met Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi to mobilize the grand alliance and hold a meeting in the coming days to counter the BJP in Assam. According to an AIUDF source, in a meeting with Rahul Gandhi, Ajmal said that all the members of the grand alliance should move forward with a sense of urgency in order to resist the BJP.
Ajmal also called on the Congress leadership to resolve the issue of seat-sharing with the parties of the grand alliance as soon as possible.
According to the source, the AIUDF has already submitted a list of 37 constituencies to the All India Congress Committee for approval. The list includes seats that AIUDF has been contesting and winning since 2006 and lost by a narrow margin in 2016.
These constituencies are Patharkandi, South Karimganj, Badarpur, Hailakandi, Katlicherra, Algapur, Katigorah, Mankachar, South Salmara, Dhubri, Gauripur, East Bilasipara, West Bilasipara, Gossaigaon, Bhabanipur, Barpeta, Jania, Baghbar, Sarukshetri, Senga, Boko, Kalaigaon, Dalgaon, Mazbat, Laharighat, Raha, Dhing, Batadrava, Rupahi, Jamunamukh, Hojai and Nowboicha.
During its initial days of formation of the Grand Alliance, AIUDF was willing to leave 14 constituencies and contest in only 23 constituencies. But now, this will be finalized in the coming days after an official meeting with the AICC.
Also, Badruddin Ajmal is trying to bargain five, Congress-held seats of Badarpur, Mankachar, Sarukhetri, Dalgaon and Laharighat for AIUDF this time.
According to the source, senior Congress leaders Mukul Wasnik and Jitendra Singh, who have been specially assigned to select the Congress candidates in Assam, have been scrutinizing the list of 37 constituencies submitted by the AIUDF.
In each constituency, the Congress has started collecting information on the rise and fall of the AIUDF through various channels. Upon completion of the survey, the AICC will finalize the seat-sharing process with the AIUDF.
