AIUDF names Rejaul Karim Sarkar for Nagaon bypoll, rules out Congress tie-up

The All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) has named Rejaul Karim Sarkar as its candidate for the Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election, ruling out any electoral alliance with the Congress. Party chief Badruddin Ajmal accused the Congress of being the BJP's 'B-team' and said it had destroyed Assam and the country. 'We will not ally with Congress,' Ajmal said.

State Congress president Gaurav Gogoi expressed confidence his party would win the seat, dismissing suggestions the AIUDF would shape Congress's strategy. Assam BJP president Dilip Saikia called the contest 'tough and challenging' but vowed to fight for victory.

Ajmal also claimed the Congress high command would not allow a Muslim candidate in the bypoll. 'It has been instructed from Delhi not to field a Muslim candidate,' he said. The Nagaon seat fell vacant after Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi resigned and later joined the BJP, winning the Dispur Assembly seat. Opposition Congress leader Wazed Ali Choudhury said the party had asked for the AIUDF's support and noted the Congress had won the seat twice even when the AIUDF fielded candidates.