Assam Assembly polls: Congress' bid to unite opposition parties fails; AJP and Raijor Dal release candidate lists

Congress' effort to unite all opposition parties against ruling BJP in Assam failed as newly floated Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) and Akhil Gogoi-led Raijor Dal announced their lists of candidates for the first two phases of polling on March 27 and April 1.

The AJP, led by the former general secretary of All Assam Students' Union Lurinjyoti Gogoi, announced their first list of 18 candidates on Friday evening, hours after BJP's list was made public.

Raijor Dal, which was also formed out of the anti-CAA agitation, released names of 18 candidates, 12 for the first phase and six for the second phase. Akhil, who is in judicial custody since the anti-CAA protests in December 2019, has been fielded from the Sivasagar constituency in eastern Assam, which witnessed strong protest against the act. AJP chief Lurinjyoti will contest from the Duliajan constituency in eastern Assam.

The party named its general secretary and former minister in AGP ministry, Jagadish Bhuyan as a candidate in Sadiya, which also witnessed violent protest against the CAA.

Also read: Assam Assembly Polls: Akhil Gogoi to contest from Sibsagar

Both AJP and Raijor Dal has made the CAA its main poll plank with a target to defeat BJP and its regional allies.

The two parties, however, rejected Congress' invitation to join the grand alliance of seven opposition parties including Badruddin Ajmal-led AlUDF and BJP's former ally Bodoland People's Front.

"We were hopeful till the last moment that they (AJP and Raijor Dal) will rethink and join the grand alliance to prevent the division of the anti-CAA and anti-BJP votes. The decision is definitely unfortunate and will raise questions about their intention," a Congress leader said.

Raijor Dal, while releasing the list on Saturday, however, said they decided to contest only in 18 of the 86 seats going for polls in the first phases to prevent the division of anti-BJP votes.

Meanwhile, discontentment in the Congress camp has started brewing over the selection of candidates.

President of All India Mahila Congress and former MP, Sushmita Dev is unhappy and warned the party leaders that she would quit if the party decides to give most seats in Barak Valley constituencies to AIUDF.