AIUDF chief steps up efforts to form third front in Assam

GUWAHATI: The president of the All India United Democratic Front, Badruddin Ajmal, has said that efforts were on to form a third front in Assam to form the next government. Ajmal said it is clear that in the 2016 assembly polls neither Congress nor BJP would secure a majority.

“Efforts are on to form a third front with Asom Gana Parishad and Bodoland Peoples Front,” he said. AGP and BPF are alliance partners of BJP and had contested the assembly polls in alliance.

Ajmal said, “AIUDF will get between 24 to 40 seats in the 126-member assembly and together with other parties we can form the next government. Speculation that AIUDF will be reduced to single digit from 18 MLAs is not correct.

We will decide on chief ministerial candidate later. Congress can also join the third front.”

Ajmal said that a couple of independent candidates have claimed that they have been getting feelers from Congress and BJP to support them post declaration of results on May 19.

Ajmal reiterated that he has asked the party’s candidates to keep ready their passports ready as he plans to fly them out of the country after May 19. AIUDF is scared that its MLAs may be poached. AIUDF had contested in 71 seats.