Party workers should insure themselves against poll violence: AIUDF's Sirajudin Ajmal

GUWAHATI: Lok Sabha parliamentarian from Barpeta and leader of All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) Sirajudin Ajmal ask party workers to purchase insurance coverage for he fears that a section of congress and BJP workers will resort to violence in the run up to the assembly polls.

Sirajudin who is the younger brother of perfume baron and AIUDF president Badrudin Ajmal while addressing party workers at Hojai in Nagaon district sparked debate and protest from different areas for his remark.

Sirajudin said that payment of Rs 716 will insure the party workers. This will fetch them Rs. 2 lakh in case of injuries and Rs. 5 lakh in case of any death in the election related violence.

He said, “I told the party workers to go for insurance coverage and pay Rs 716 for this will give them Rs 2 lakh against injury and their family members will Rs 5 lakh in case of death. If any workers do not have the money to do insurance, I have assured that that I will pay for it. There is nothing wrong in this. Our party cadres often face violence and so I have suggested the workers to opt for the insurance policy”.

AIUDF spokesman Champak Kalita said that the Sirajudin’s has urged the party workers for they have faced violence in past. There is nothing wrong in it. "In Last election in 2011, one of our workers even died due to attack by the workers of rival party"

Sirajudin’s statement is criticized from different quarters. It is alleged that this is move to incite violence and polarize the voters.