Former Bihar governor Devanand Konwar joins All India United Democratic Front

GUWAHATI: Veteran congress leader and former Governor of Bihar, Devanand Konwar on Wednesday joined All India United Democratic Front ( AIUDF).

Konwar who has returned to state politics couple of years back was sidelined and did not played any significant role in state congress.

Konwar who is bete noire of Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi joined perfume baron Maulana Badruddin Ajmal led AIUDF on Wednesday in a public function.

Konwar said, "AIUDF is more secular than congress. Congress is spreading false propaganda that AIUDF is communal party. I know congress for many years. AIUDF is committed to its ideology and principles."

Konwar added that AIUDF from a small party has gone to become second largest party in Assam after congress.

AIUDF is eyeing larger role in the assembly polls this year. Political analysts felt that coming of Konwar will assist the party in building bases in Upper Assam where presently AIUDF has no bases.

He added that most of the seats which the party has won in past come from Lower Assam and Baral valley.

Ajmal said, "If congress, AIUDF and Asom Gana Parishad(AGP) come together, we cannot stop BJP."

AIUDF formed in 2006 is improving its tally with each election. It has eaten up up the Muslim support base of congress.

AIUDF clinched 10 seats in 2006 assembly polls. In 2011 assembly polls AIUDF got 18 seats and emerged as the largest opposition party in the State Legislative Assembly. AIUDF has increased its tally from one seat of 2009 to 3 in 2014 Lok sabha polls.