With Owaisi on its side, AIUDF steps up fight

Guwahati: All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi will visit Assam for two days from April 2, during which he is scheduled to address at least eight public rallies in support of All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) candidates across Dhubri, Goalpara, Barpeta and Nagaon districts.AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal said Owaisi’s campaign is expected to boost the party’s electoral prospects. Owaisi’s visit is aimed at consolidating minority votes in key minority-dominated constituencies.AIUDF will contest 27 assembly seats across Assam, with the largest presence in Dhubri. The party will contest all five seats in Dhubri. Moreover, the party will contest three seats each in Barpeta, Nagaon and Karimganj, two seats in Goalpara and one seat each in Kokrajhar, South Salmara, Bongaigaon, Chirang, Kamrup, Darrang, Morigaon, Hojai and Cachar.

Party chief and three-time Lok Sabha MP from Dhubri, Badruddin Ajmal, will contest from the Binnakandi seat against BJP ally Asom Gana Parishad’s (AGP) Sahabuddin Mazumdar and the Opposition alliance’s key partner Assam Jatiya Parishad’s (AJP) Rejaul Karim Chowdhury.Talking about Owaisi’s visit to the state, Ajmal said, “There have been talks with Owaisi regarding this matter. We have an old relationship. My son Abdul Rahman Ajmal formally met him at his residence and sought his support in this election.

Owaisi also talked to me. After the talks, he agreed to extend his support to AIUDF and visit the state on a two-day tour from April 2 to campaign. Though there might be weather issues, we will try to organise eight rallies led by Owaisi.

”A total of 22 out of 126 seats in the state are minority-dominated. AIUDF will contest all these seats. Before the delimitation exercise in 2023, there were 32 minority-dominated seats.Owaisi’s involvement is expected to inject momentum into the campaign, especially in minority-dominated constituencies where AIUDF has traditionally held sway. Ajmal, a longstanding figure in Assam politics, is keen to retain his relevance amid a changing electoral landscape, with AIUDF focusing on consolidating its grassroots network and core voter base.