Guwahati, March 17: All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) MLA Rafiqul Islam on March 17 said the party would support any “anti-BJP government” in Assam, while ruling out any possibility of aligning with the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Speaking ahead of the Assembly elections, Islam criticised both the previous Indian National Congress government and the current BJP-led administration, alleging that key public issues remain unaddressed. He highlighted concerns such as land erosion and the lack of irrigation facilities for farmers.
Islam said the party’s support would depend on the formation of a non-BJP government in which AIUDF has a role. He added that if part of such a government, the party would focus on addressing issues in education, healthcare and road connectivity.
He also asserted that “secular parties” should secure a majority of seats to enable the formation of a unified anti-BJP government in the state.
Assam is heading for a closely contested election for its 126-member Assembly, scheduled for April 9. The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance, headed by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, is aiming for a third consecutive term, while the Congress is seeking to return to power.
Following the announcement of the poll schedule by the Election Commission of India, AIUDF said it is preparing to contest all 126 seats.
The BJP has intensified its outreach through the ‘Jan Ashirwad Yatra’, with Sarma stating that he has travelled around 1,200 kilometres, spending up to 14 hours a day interacting with voters during the initial phase.
Meanwhile, the Congress has released its second list of candidates, naming 23 nominees and taking its total to 65, while leaving several constituencies for alliance partners.
In the 2021 Assembly elections, the NDA — comprising the BJP, Asom Gana Parishad and United People’s Party Liberal — secured 75 seats, with the BJP winning 60. The polls recorded a voter turnout of 86.2 per cent, with over 2.2 crore registered voters.
