Ajmal plays hardball, asks 53 seats from Congress

BJP cosying up to AGP, now

Bijoya talks about ‘understanding’

By Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, Dec 26: Spelling it out in clear terms, Badruddin Ajmal today said he is keen for a tie-up with the Congress if the ruling party sets aside 53 seats for the AIUDF to contest.

"We have told them (Congress) clearly. We already have 18 seats. We want to contest in 35 more seats. If it is agreeable to the Congress, we can have an alliance. The Congress has to be broad-minded," Ajmal told a public meeting at Lahorighat.

"If there will be a dosti, we will do it openly. There will not be any secret deals," he said.

Ajmal also fired salvos at State BJP president Sarbanda Sonowal saying "his dream to become a chief minister will never be fulfilled."

 Ajmal's statement came a day after Rajiv Bhavan expressed opposition to a tie-up with the AIUDF, saying the Congress is "strong enough" to romp home alone.

"We are strong and we can go alone. The results of the recent by-polls in the three panchayat seats which we wrested from the AIUDF prove the decreasing popularity of the AIUDF. This shows that the people are with us," APCC secretary Imdad Hussain had yesterday said. Earlier, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi had ruled out alliance with any political party, instead pitching for a Bihar-like 'mahagathbandhan' to defeat the BJP.

On the other hand, BJP MP Bijoya Chakraborty today hinted that negotiations are on for an understanding with the AGP. "In some seats, there could be an understanding with the AGP," she indicated.