AIUDF to erode Cong vote bank

The ruling Congress is likely to face stiff challenge from All India United Democratic Front in the second and final phase of assembly elections in Assam on April 11. HT reports.

The ruling Congress is likely to face stiff challenge from All India United Democratic Front in the second and final phase of assembly elections in Assam on April 11.

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AIUDF, which relies on minorities support, won 10 seats in the traditional Congress stronghold of lower Assam in the 2006 polls — the party’s first election — and ensured a defeat of at least 15 other Congress candidates.

Party chief Maulana Badruddin Ajmal has managed to create a buzz this year too. “Ajmal surely is a big factor in minority-dominated areas. He has tremendous influence among minority voters,” said Binay Kumar Das, a retired teacher in Barpeta town.

Out of the 64 seats going to polls in the second phase, Muslims form a major vote bank in 22 constituencies.