Congress accuses AIUDF of acting as ‘108’ lifeline for Assam chief minister

During a rally for the Nagaon parliamentary by‑election, Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi warned that All India United Democratic Front chief Badruddin Ajmal has become a “108 service” for Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, implying the AIUDF is being used as an emergency backup for the ruling party. The Hindu reported that Gogoi, who heads the state Congress unit, framed the remark as evidence of a “secret alliance” between the BJP and the minority‑focused AIUDF.

Gogoi’s comment came as the Congress sought to rally support in a constituency that has historically swung between the BJP and regional parties. The Nagaon seat, vacated after the death of senior BJP MP Rameshwar Teli, is seen as a litmus test for the BJP’s hold on Assam ahead of the 2024 general elections. By highlighting a supposed back‑channel relationship, the Congress aims to portray the BJP as dependent on minority votes that it otherwise claims to have lost.

The AIUDF, founded in 2005 by former Congress MP Badruddin Ajmal, has built its base among Assam’s Muslim community, particularly in the lower Brahmaputra region. Historically, the party has oscillated between opposition to the BJP and tactical understandings with the Congress. In the 2021 state assembly elections, the AIUDF secured 16 seats, making it a significant player in any coalition calculus. Analysts note that while the AIUDF has never formally joined a BJP government, informal coordination on issues such as illegal immigration and flood relief has occasionally surfaced, fueling speculation about behind‑the‑scenes pacts.

Political observers caution that accusations of a “secret alliance” are not new in Assam’s fractious landscape. The state’s demography, marked by a sizable Muslim minority and a history of ethnic tensions, often forces parties to negotiate nuanced arrangements. Whether Gogoi’s “108 service” analogy reflects a genuine strategic partnership or a rhetorical device to rally anti‑BJP sentiment remains to be seen, but it underscores the high‑stakes environment surrounding the Nagaon contest.

The by‑election, scheduled for early 2024, will test the BJP’s ability to retain its foothold without overt reliance on minority parties. A victory for the Congress or AIUDF could reshape alliance dynamics ahead of the national polls, while a BJP win would reinforce the narrative of a dominant, self‑sufficient government in the northeast.