AIUDF plans to expand its base in West Bengal

GUWAHATI: The All India United Democratic Front ( AIUDF), Assam’s main opposition party, plans to expand its base. It will make its electoral debut in neighbouring West Bengal, which has a sizeable Muslim population, by contesting 14 seats in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

AIUDF draws its strength from Muslim voters. It plans to contest 12 out of the 14 Lok Sabha seats in Assam too Annoucnign the decision to contest in West Bengal, AIUDF general secretary Aminul Islam said that his party has decided to field candidates in Coochbehar, Raiganj, Malda (North), Malda (South), Jangipur, Murshidabad, Burdwan, Krishnanagar, Basirhat, Joynagar, Uluberia, Srerampur, Diamond Harbour and Balurghat seat o f West Bengal.

In Assam the party is expected to contest Dhubri, Barpeta, Mangaldoi, Tezpur, Nagaon, Guwahati, Lakhimpur, Koliabor, Silchar, Karimganj, Dibrugarh and Kokrajhar seats. AIUDF has ruled out the possibility of an alliance with Congress in Assam.

In the last assembly polls, it managed to win 18 seats and emerged as the largest opposition party in the state Assembly. Since its formation in 2006, AIUDF has not tied up with any political party but has been gaining strength with each election.

Even in the panchayat polls held this year, AIUDF performed reasonably well and established itself as an alternative political force. Perfume Baron Moulana Badruddin Ajmal-led AIUDF has one MP in Lok Sabha and supports the UPA government.