Congress contemplates alliance with AIUDF in Assam for Rajya Sabha election

With an aim to defeat BJP in Assam, Congress is contemplating to initiate discussions with regional parties. Congress has offered an olive branch to All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) headed by Badruddin Ajmal ahead of  Rajya Sabha elections.

Former Chief Minister of Assam and Congress leader Tarun Gogoi who was once an opposer of AIUDF has said that he is open to forging an alliance to fight BJP. Gogoi had said on Wednesday that Opposition parties need to field a common candidate, who can be vocal against CAA in Parliament, for Rajya Sabha polls on March 26. He said if required, Congress should join hands with AIUDF. However,  official talks have been held in this regard.

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Congress General Secretary in-charge of state Harish Rawat has said that re is proposal yet, but if it comes from state unit, party leadership will look into it. He added that decision of alliance is t decided in Guwahati but by party President Sonia Gandhi.

Out of seven Rajya Sabha seats from Assam, three will fall vacant on April 9, two of which are represented by Congress and one by Bodoland People's Front (BPF).

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Election Commission of India (ECI) has anunced Biennial elections to council of states to fill what will be 55 vacant Rajya Sabha seats from 17 states, with current MPs retiring in April 2020. Elections will be held on March 26 from 9 AM to 4 PM and counting of votes will take place from 5 PM onwards.

According to schedule for elections, tification for biennial elections will be issued on March 6, March 13 is last date of filing minations. Scrutiny of minations will be done on March 16 while last date for withdrawal of candidatures is on March 18.

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