Poll partners Congress & AIUDF headed towards split?

GUWAHATI: Rumours have surfaced that the Congress and the Badruddin Ajmal-led All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) might be headed towards a split amid simmering discontent over sharing of Seats for the ensuing elections.

 

To what extent are they correct?

 

The reports of an impending split have surfaced amid reports that Congress stalwarts Sushmita Dev and -- peeved at the ongoing developments -- had threatened to resign.

 

While Dev was said to be flying to Delhi to offer a formal resignation to Rahul Gandhi, Ahmed was threatening to walk away from the party.

 

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Now, sources have informed InsideNE that the alliance, considered crucial to oust the ruling BJP-led alliance, might be in actual jeopardy.

 

According to sources, the discord has been over fielding candidates from a few seats in Barak Valley and Barpeta district.

 

According to reports, the Congress leadership is displeased with the AIUDF for demanding to contest from some of the key Constituencies -- Borkhetri, Sarukhetri, Dalgaon, and Laharighat.

 

“The picture is not clear about whether there would be friendly contests or not. The AIUDF has over the past 15 years contested in between 68 to 74 seats and has won up to 28 seats. But, when the same party is asking for only 32 seats, that means the party is compromising a lot for the sake of the alliance. The party is ready to compromise further if needed,” sources told InsideNE.

 

When contacted, AIUDF general secretary Haider Hussain Bora said: “We are asking for 32 seats. The negotiation is going with the top leadership of the Congress. The top leadership is saying that it is yet to be finalized. But, we are expecting that it will be settled for about 26 seats. And, as far as the possible break-up of the alliance between AIUDF and Congress is concerned, it’s completely baseless. There’s nothing as such.”

 

After months of speculations, the parties joined hands in January to offer an alternative to the ruling BJP in the state. Congress and the AIUDF, along with four other political parties, declared the formation of a 'Grand Alliance.'

 

In a joint press conference held in Guwahati, the leaders of Congress, AIUDF, CPI, CPI (M), CPI (ML) and Anchalik Gana Morcha said all six political parties have decided to form a 'Grand Alliance' for the greater interest of the people of the state and to "save Assam".