Owaisi’s Assam Visit Set to Reshape AIUDF’s Electoral Fortunes Ahead of April 9 Assembly Polls

Speaking to NDTV, Ajmal stated that Owaisi’s visit would significantly boost AIUDF’s position in Assam politics. He confirmed that Owaisi will support the party in its election campaign, adding that public enthusiasm is rising and expressing hope that Owaisi’s participation will change the future of the party. Ajmal emphasized that both he and Owaisi are leaders who raise their voices on minority issues, reinforcing the political alignment between the two.

Ajmal further said that Owaisi will visit Assam on April 2 and 3 and is scheduled to address at least eight public meetings across different constituencies. AIUDF sources added that there is also an attempt to bring Owaisi back on April 6, indicating an extended campaign effort aimed at consolidating voter support.

The campaign will primarily focus on mobilising support for Ajmal, who is contesting from the Binnakandi Assembly seat. The development underscores the strategic importance of leadership-driven campaigning in a politically sensitive election.

Responding to questions about Assam Congress chief Gaurav Gogoi, Ajmal said that Gogoi has effectively given a walkover to the BJP by refusing an alliance with AIUDF. Ajmal added that he hopes Congress will secure seats in the upcoming Assembly polls and indicated that AIUDF remains open to an alliance if approached.

A political observer highlighted a significant challenge for AIUDF, stating that the party has lost support among minority groups in recent years. The observer noted that AIUDF failed to effectively represent minority interests despite its core objective of raising their voices, contributing to its declining influence.

The article further recalls that in the 2021 Assembly elections, the Congress and AIUDF formed an alliance to prevent the division of Muslim votes. However, this strategy led to counter-polarisation in Upper Assam, where the National Democratic Alliance secured 43 seats while the Congress-led Mahajot managed only 12 constituencies.

By the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Congress reassessed its strategy, concluding that its alliance with AIUDF could alienate Assamese majority voters. As a result, it chose to contest independently. This decision dealt a major blow to AIUDF, as its support base shifted back to Congress, leaving the party unable to secure a lead in even a single Muslim-majority Assembly seat.

The upcoming Assembly polls now emerge as a critical test for AIUDF, with Owaisi’s high-profile campaign involvement poised to influence voter dynamics and determine whether the party can reclaim its lost ground in Assam’s complex political arena.

Guwahati: All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) chief Badruddin Ajmal said that All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi coming to Assam will change the former party's fortune in the April 9 Assembly polls, marking a crucial moment in the state's evolving political landscape.

Speaking to NDTV, Ajmal stated that Owaisi’s visit would significantly boost AIUDF’s position in Assam politics. He confirmed that Owaisi will support the party in its election campaign, adding that public enthusiasm is rising and expressing hope that Owaisi’s participation will change the future of the party. Ajmal emphasized that both he and Owaisi are leaders who raise their voices on minority issues, reinforcing the political alignment between the two.

Ajmal further said that Owaisi will visit Assam on April 2 and 3 and is scheduled to address at least eight public meetings across different constituencies. AIUDF sources added that there is also an attempt to bring Owaisi back on April 6, indicating an extended campaign effort aimed at consolidating voter support.

The campaign will primarily focus on mobilising support for Ajmal, who is contesting from the Binnakandi Assembly seat. The development underscores the strategic importance of leadership-driven campaigning in a politically sensitive election.

Responding to questions about Assam Congress chief Gaurav Gogoi, Ajmal said that Gogoi has effectively given a walkover to the BJP by refusing an alliance with AIUDF. Ajmal added that he hopes Congress will secure seats in the upcoming Assembly polls and indicated that AIUDF remains open to an alliance if approached.

A political observer highlighted a significant challenge for AIUDF, stating that the party has lost support among minority groups in recent years. The observer noted that AIUDF failed to effectively represent minority interests despite its core objective of raising their voices, contributing to its declining influence.

The article further recalls that in the 2021 Assembly elections, the Congress and AIUDF formed an alliance to prevent the division of Muslim votes. However, this strategy led to counter-polarisation in Upper Assam, where the National Democratic Alliance secured 43 seats while the Congress-led Mahajot managed only 12 constituencies.

By the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Congress reassessed its strategy, concluding that its alliance with AIUDF could alienate Assamese majority voters. As a result, it chose to contest independently. This decision dealt a major blow to AIUDF, as its support base shifted back to Congress, leaving the party unable to secure a lead in even a single Muslim-majority Assembly seat.

The upcoming Assembly polls now emerge as a critical test for AIUDF, with Owaisi’s high-profile campaign involvement poised to influence voter dynamics and determine whether the party can reclaim its lost ground in Assam’s complex political arena.