Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Gaurav Gogoi accused Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of seeking support from the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections in Assam, calling the move proof of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) “power-centric” politics. Gogoi said the development exposed a contradiction: Sarma, who had for years labelled the AIUDF a communal party, was now relying on its support to secure an Upper House seat.
Gogoi alleged that three AIUDF MLAs — Karimuddin Barbhuiya, Nizamuddin Choudhury and Zakir Hussain Laskar — have signed the nomination papers of National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate Pramod Boro, the president of the United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL). He framed their support as evidence that political expediency has overtaken earlier rhetoric.
The Congress leader criticised Sarma for what he described as a history of polarising language against minority communities, saying the chief minister repeatedly used terms such as “Miya” and “Osinaki” in political speeches. Gogoi also accused the state government of deepening social divisions through eviction drives and what he termed “bulldozer politics.”
“The Chief Minister often speaks about ideology and principles, but the moment his power is threatened, those principles disappear,” Gogoi said, arguing that protecting political position now appears to be the priority rather than consistent ideology.
Leader of the Opposition in the Assam Legislative Assembly, Debabrata Saikia, echoed Gogoi’s criticism, alleging a covert understanding between the BJP and the AIUDF. Saikia said that despite public denials of any ideological alignment, the parties were willing to cooperate to sustain their political interests, and he described the AIUDF as the BJP’s “B-team.” He added that the public exchange of criticism, the opposition contends, is a tactic to mislead voters.
Saikia also pointed out that a UPPL minister is already part of Sarma’s cabinet, and that the BJP’s reliance on AIUDF MLAs has facilitated the Rajya Sabha nomination of UPPL president Pramod Boro. (Inputs from ANI)
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/assam/story/gaurav-gogoi-accuses-cm-himanta-of-seeking-aiudf-support-in-rajya-sabha-polls-1355432-2026-03-06?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2026-03-06 08:51:00
