Konwar '100 % certain' to join AIUDF

BY OUR STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, Sept 29: Senior Congress leader and former Governor of Bihar and Tripura, Devanda Konwar is set to join the AIUDF. This development has created a flutter in Congress circles in the State, and is also a hot topic among other political parties.

Interacting with the media today, Devanda Konwar said, “What is the big deal? I can join anytime, whenever I want to. I’m ready to join.”

On being asked when he will be joining the party, the veteran Congress leader said, “You will get to know when I join. Let the right time come.” Asked if his decision to join the AIUDF is fil, Konwar said, “100 per cent fil.”

When scribes asked if he had any word with AIUDF supremo Badaruddin Ajmal in this regard, the former Governor said that till now he has not spoken with Ajmal regarding his joining.

When asked if he is joining the AIUDF with the hope to become Chief Minister, Konwar said, “I had been a Governor. Why should I be desperate to be a Chief Minister?” However, he categorically stated that if given the chance, he is ready to serve the State as Chief Minister. “I’m ready for any job, any assignment,” he said.

Predicting that the AIUDF will get not less than 45 seats in the upcoming Assembly election, Konwar said that though he cannot give the exact figure now, he knows very well such an outcome will materialise.

Alleging that the Congress party is not in touch with him, the veteran Congress leader said that he has also severed contacts with the party.

Commenting on the allegations leveled by Himanta Biswa Sarma against father-son politics in the State, Konwar said, “It is an open secret. Everyone in the State is now aware that the father does what the son wants.”

A source close to the veteran Congress leader has informed that Konwar is likely to join the AIUDF on the first week of October. He is expected to join as soon as AIUDF supremo Badaruddin Ajmal arrives in the State. Ajmal is in Mecca for Hajj.

It may be mentioned that Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Anjan Dutta are totally opposed to allow Konwar to contest the next Assembly elections scheduled in 2016.