Ajmal to make assembly comeback from new Binnakandi seat in Hojai

Guwahati: Perfume baron and AIUDF supremo Badruddin Ajmal is back in the assembly electoral arena and is all set to contest from the newly created Binnakandi constituency in Assam’s Hojai distruct, carved out of the erstwhile Jamunamukh constituency in the delimitation exercise of 2023.The announcement marks 70-year-old Ajmal’s return to state politics after setbacks at the national level following his defeat in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls from Dhubri to Congress.Ajmal told TOI that his brother Sirajuddin Ajmal, the sitting MLA from Jamunamukh, is unwell. “He is not contesting the election this time and the party wants to field me instead. So, I have decided to act accordingly.”The choice of Binnakandi carries symbolic weight as Jamunamukh was where Badruddin Ajmal made his political debut in 2006, launching AIUDF as a force in Assam’s minority-dominated seats.

The decision by Ajmal to contest comes at a critical juncture when AIUDF will go to the polls solo, breaking away from past tactical alliances. For Ajmal, returning to the assembly contest is both a revival strategy and a test of AIUDF’s ability to hold ground in its traditional strongholds amid shifting political equations.The delimitation exercise has reshaped constituencies, reducing the influence of minority-dominated seats in as many as 10 constituencies.

Against this backdrop, Ajmal’s candidature is aimed at consolidating AIUDF’s core support base.His personal brand — as both a religious leader and business magnate — remains central to AIUDF’s appeal. However, the challenge lies in countering BJP’s aggressive push and Congress’s renewed momentum, analysts said.AIUDF has so far relased names of candidates for 21 seats.