Over Covid Scare AIUDF Candidates Stationed at Jaipur Fly Back to Assam

GUWAHATI: With the fear of horse-trading the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) who have been safely stationed at a hotel in Jaipur will now fly back in Assam amid the coronavirus scare.

According to reports, around 17 candidates from the AIUDF party had been shifted to the Fairmont hotel in Jaipur and were expected to be in Jaipur till around May 2, when the results are scheduled to be declared. Meanwhile, expenses of their stay in Jaipur were solely borne by the Congress Party.

Sources revealed that the MLAs were concerned due to rising Covid cases.

As the counting is on May 2, so there was a concern that if the candidates contract Covid here, they might not be able to reach Assam for the counting and won't be able to keep an eye on the entire process and that it stays neutral.

Reportedly, the candidates made a brief halt at Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's residence here before proceeding to the airport.

On the other hand, Congress Chief Whip Mahesh Joshi said that with the BJP government at the Centre, there is always a possibility of horse-trading.

This comes after their ally BOPF candidate from Tamulpur Rangja Khungur Basumatary joined the BJP, the Mahajot alliance is suspicious of further losing out on candidates.

It is to be mentioned here that in the 2016 Assembly Election, the AIUDF holds 14 seats.

In the recent 2021 Assam Assembly election, the AIUDF is in alliance with the Indian National Congress and BOPF (Bodoland People's Front). The Badruddin Ajmal lead AIUDF had contested from 74 Assam Vidhan Sabha constituencies in the 2016 Assam Assembly election out of which they managed to win 13 seats.

In the 2021 Assam Assembly elections, AIUDF has fielded its candidates from 14 Vidhan Sabha constituencies. (Sonai, Manchakar, Dhubri, Gauripur, Bilasipara West, Bilasipara East, Bhabanipur, Jania, Badarpur, Hailakandi, Katlichera, Algapur, Dhing and Jamunamukh)

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