Assam Rajya Sabha Race: BJP-Led Bloc to Contest All Three Seats as AIUDF Fields Ajmal
AIUDF seeks Congress backing to convert opposition numbers into one Rajya Sabha seat under the Assembly arithmetic.
Overview
- Three Assam Rajya Sabha seats will fall vacant on April 9 as the terms of Bhubaneswar Kalita, Rameswar Teli and Ajit Kumar Bhuyan end.
- Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the BJP, AGP and partners will field candidates for all three seats and predicted at least two wins.
- AIUDF nominated its president Badruddin Ajmal and has written to top Congress leaders seeking support to capture the third seat.
- Assembly strength cited in projections: BJP 64; AGP 9; UPPL 7; BPF 3; Congress 26; AIUDF 15; CPI(M) 1; one Independent.
- The Election Commission is expected to announce the poll schedule soon, and Sarma also questioned Bhuyan’s use of MPLAD funds.