Hojai: Launching a sharp attack on the Indian National Congress, Badruddin Ajmal on Monday accused the party of “destroying minorities socially, economically and politically” as he filed his nomination papers from the newly formed Binnakandi Assembly constituency.
The move marks Ajmal’s return to state-level electoral politics after nearly two decades. He filed his nomination amid a large gathering of supporters, signalling a renewed push to regain political ground after his defeat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Dhubri.
Sharp Criticism Over NRC, Minority Issues
The All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) chief alleged that the Congress was responsible for the exclusion of Muslims from the National Register of Citizens and the creation of detention centres.
“They removed our names from the NRC and labelled us foreigners,” Ajmal said, accusing the party of misleading minorities and stripping them of dignity.
He further claimed that the Congress had failed to address long-standing issues like land erosion and displacement in Assam, alleging corruption and extortion involving party leaders.
Education and Awareness Key Concerns
Calling education a “deliberate casualty,” Ajmal said minorities were deprived of opportunities and kept in the dark for decades.
“If BJP defeated us communally, Congress destroyed us socially and economically,” he remarked.
Referring to his loss in Dhubri, Ajmal said the result reflected a “lack of education” among voters, who he claimed were influenced by alliance narratives and political promises.
Reflects on 2024 Defeat in Dhubri
Ajmal was defeated by Rakibul Hussain of the Congress by a record margin of over 10 lakh votes in the 2024 elections.
Despite the setback, he highlighted his contributions as a Member of Parliament, including projects like the Phulbari bridge, development of Rupsi airport, railway connectivity, and expansion of educational institutions in the region.
Political Allegations and Future Agenda
The AIUDF leader alleged that the Congress used its full political machinery to defeat him as he had expanded his focus beyond minority issues.
“They wanted to finish me so I wouldn’t rise further,” he said.
Taking a swipe at shifting political loyalties, Ajmal also hinted that leaders who left Congress lacked genuine commitment to the party.
Focus on Key Assam Issues
Ajmal emphasised that critical issues in Assam — including education, erosion, the NRC process, and illegal immigration concerns — remain unresolved.
He said his party would prioritise these issues if voted to power, aiming to rebuild trust among voters and address long-standing grievances.