Guwahati, March 5: AIUDF legislator Rafiqul Islam has expressed disappointment over what he described as the Indian National Congress leadership’s lack of response to a proposal for fielding a joint opposition candidate for the third Rajya Sabha seat from Assam.
Speaking to reporters in Guwahati, the All India United Democratic Front MLA said the opposition had a potential opportunity to come together and contest the third seat but the plan could not materialise due to the absence of support from the Congress leadership.
Islam pointed out that three Rajya Sabha seats from Assam had fallen vacant and Thursday marked the final day for filing nomination papers. According to him, a coordinated strategy between the Congress and AIUDF could have enabled the opposition to field a common candidate for the third seat.
He further stated that he had formally written to senior Congress leaders requesting their backing for such a move. However, he claimed that the communication did not receive any response from the party.
The AIUDF legislator also alleged that despite his party having extended consistent support to the Congress in the past, the gesture was not reciprocated when the opportunity arose during the Rajya Sabha election process.
The remarks come amid the ongoing political developments in the state as parties position themselves ahead of upcoming electoral contests.
