AIUDF MLA and General Secretary Rafiqul Islam has confirmed on Tuesday stated that his party decided not to contest in upcoming Assam bypolls, which will take place in five assembly constituency of the state.
The Upcoming bypolls in Assam is schedule for November 13, 2024 in five assembly constituency. This five constituency are:- Behali, Bongaigaon, Sidli, Dholai, and Samaguri.
AIUDF MLA Rafiqul Islam stated, “Earlier, we had announced that we would fight in one out of five seats. After getting suggestions from various organisations and secular intellectuals, our core committee led by party president Badruddin Ajmal has decided that this time we will not contest any seat in by-elections. We will focus on the upcoming panchayat election in the state, which might be held in December this year.”
Earlier, in the year 2021 at assembly election the AIUDF did not contest in these seats. MLA Rafiqul Islam stated, “But we have a vote bank in each constituency. We can’t support BJP and communal forces. We are not allies with any other party and can’t urge our party workers or supporters to support any candidate. They will cast their votes in favour of a suitable candidate in each constituency.”
In related news, the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), a coalition partner in Assam’s BJP-led government, has chosen Diptimoyee Choudhury, the wife of Lok Sabha MP Phani Bhushan Choudhury, as its candidate for the Bongaigaon seat. However, this decision has faced opposition from some party members and leaders.
Meanwhile, the United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL), another BJP ally, has announced their candidate of Sidli seat as Nirmal Kumar Brahma .
The BJP also announced candidates for three seats Behali, Samaguri and Dholai. Diganta Ghatowar for Behali, Diplu Ranjan Sarma for Samaguri and Nihar Ranjan Das for Dholai.
On the opposition side, the Congress party has revealed its candidates for Sidli, Bongaigaon, Samaguri, and Dholai. Tanzil Hussain, son of former Assam Minister and MP Rakibul Hussain, will run for Samaguri, while Dhrubajyoti Purakayastha will compete for Dholai. Congress has also named Sanjib Warle for Sidli and Brajenjit Sinha for Bongaigaon.
