GUWAHATI, March 22 - All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), which had earlier announced its intention to contest from seven constituencies in Assam in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls, is now exploring the option of fielding candidates from additional two seats.
Aminul Islam, general secretary of AIUDF, told The Assam Tribune today that the Badruddin Ajmal-led party may put up its own candidates from Guwahati and Kokrajhar constituencies as well, in addition to the seven seats announced earlier.
�We will contest from at least seven constituencies. That is for sure. But now, we are also exploring the likelihood of contesting the polls from another two seats as well. We are considering putting up our own candidates from Guwahati and Kokrajhar,� said Islam. AIUDF had earlier stated that it will field candidates from Dhubri, Barpeta, Karimganj, Silchar, Nagaon, Kaliabor and Mangaldoi constituencies.
Islam said AIUDF is likely to release its list of candidates tomorrow, adding that the BJP will be the main target of the AIUDF during the campaign for the elections.
At the same time, the AIUDF is still hoping for some local or constituency- level adjustments with other political formations.
�If any kind of adjustments with any other party, especially on the issue of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, is possible, we are more than willing to go for such an arrangement,� said Islam. He, however, admitted that any such understanding with the Congress party is unlikely. Congress has already made clear its intentions to contest from all 14 seats in Assam and has announced the names of its candidates for ten of the constituencies.
Meanwhile, the AIUDF sources said the party has shortlisted its parliamentary poll candidates from various constituencies. Party chief and sitting MP Badruddin Ajmal will once again contest from Dhubri constituency.
Sources said MLA Aminul Islam is likely to be the AIUDF candidate from Kaliabor constituency, while in Nagaon, the frontrunners are Champak Kalita and Dr Aditya Langthasa.
Former MLA Rafiqul Islam is the probable candidate from Barpeta constituency. Sirajuddin Ajmal, the sitting MP from Barpeta, is unlikely to contest this time on account of health-related issues. In Karimganj, the race for the party ticket is between Rajesh Mallah and sitting MP Radheshyam Biswas.
Among other seats, Nathu Boro and Jaharul Islam have been shortlisted for the Mangaldoi constituency, while Karimuddin Barbhuiyan is likely to be the AIUDF nominee from Silchar.
