“BJP and AIUDF’s joint attempt to divide Muslim votes in Karimganj will fail, Hafiz Rashid will win,” Ajit Bhuyan

Founder and president of Anchalik Gana Morcha and Rajya Sabha, Member of Parliament from Assam, Ajit Bhuyan is in Barak Valley campaigning for Congress candidate from Karimganj, Hafiz Rashid Choudhury. He has participated in some rallies in Hailakandi and Karimganj.

“Hafiz Rashid Choudhury’s identity is not that he is a Hafiz or the fact that he is a candidate from Congress, but he has a place in the intelligentsia in Assam and has been an active contributor to the movements held to uphold the constitution and safeguard fundamental rights,” said Bhuyan.

While he belongs to an independent Political party, he clarified that his decision to extend support to Congress. “There is no alternative to Congress, in Karimganj,” said Bhuyan. He added, “Akhil Gogoi was there yesterday, there are other leaders coming in and extending support by sitting on the same stage. This is leaving a great impression on the electorates. They want to see an united opposition taking on the BJP.”

Former journalist and editor of satellite channel, a renowned author, Bhuyan assessed that Karimganj is witnessing a large support for Congress. “Despite the incessant rain and the resistance from the administration, the crowds are gathering in large numbers to extend support for the Congress candidate. This has prompted the BJP to change their stance and the Chief Minister himself is heard saying Karimganj is tough. While they beat the trumpet that NDA will go 400 par (400+) the fact of the matter is they are scared,” said Bhuyan.

He took a jibe at the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) supremo Badaruddin Ajmal. “Muslims of Assam have been oppressed in several ways. Yet, Ajmal remained silent and in fact, worked as an agent of the BJP to divide the opposition votes especially the Muslim votes. They are trying to do the same in Karimganj but BJP and AIUDF’s joint attempt to divide Muslim votes in Karimganj will fail, Hafiz Rashid will win. The people of Assam have realised that a vote for AIUDF is a vote for BJP,” added Bhuyan.

Bhuyan questioned Himanta Biswa Sarma’s hypocrisy. “Maimal community that were evicted a few days back by the Chief Minister, is now being used as a weapon to get votes. The chief minister who after taking a constitutional oath, says Muslim votes are not needed is morally questionable,” said Bhuyan.

While he was prompt to call out AIUDF as an agent of the BJP, Bhuyan refused to take the same stance for Trinamool Congress, though TMC is doing in Silchar what AIUDF is doing in Karimganj.