RSS deploys Muslim front to woo voters in Assam

AIUDF downplays game-plan, talks of bagging at least 30 seats

BY Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, Sept 12: Wary of massive polarization of votes on religious lines in Assam in the 2016 assembly elections, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has deployed a Muslim front to woo voters in favour of the BJP.

Known as the Rashtriya Muslim Manch, the front works directly under the Prime Minister. It is said to have had successes in Jammu & Kashmir in the last Lok Sabha elections.

Sources said some 5,000 cadres of the Manch have fanned out across Assam, penetrating into some Muslim-domited areas of the State.

A six-member team comprising six RSS functiories and three Muslim leaders are supervising the cadres. "Their main target is the Muslim domited areas of lower Assam. It is a well-devised strategy to woo Muslim voters to the BJP," said sources, but refused to elaborate. The AIUDF has, however, downplayed the RSS game plan, saying "it won't work in Assam." "It won't be a success. The voting pattern in Assam is different. You cannot sway the voters here," said a senior AIUDF leader. He said that the AIUDF is hoping to get at least 30 seats in the assembly elections and give a formidable fight in ten others.