Guwahati, April 30: The All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) released its election manifesto on Tuesday for the upcoming panchayat polls in Assam, positioning itself as a strong alternative to both the BJP and the Congress. The party’s key promise: establishing corruption-free panchayats.
Addressing a press conference, AIUDF general secretary and MLA Hafiz Rafiqul Islam announced that the party has fielded candidates in 74 Zila Parishads (ZPs) and over 300 Anchalik Panchayats (APs) across key districts, including Dhubri, Goalpara, Bongaigaon, South Salmara-Mankachar, Barpeta, Darrang, Nagaon, Morigaon, Hojai, Lakhimpur, and Hailakandi.
“Our core assurance is to build clean and transparent panchayats,” said Islam. “We’ve chosen young and educated candidates, and tickets were given without any monetary exchange. If elected, we will deliver accountable governance rooted in grassroots service.”
Islam sharply criticized the state’s handling of MGNREGA, alleging that both central and state governments have failed in implementation. “The mandatory 100 days of work are not being provided to job card holders. The government sets restrictive conditions and delays funds, pushing the schemes toward silent closure,” he said.
The AIUDF also aimed at opposition parties, accusing Congress president Bhupen Kumar Borah and Raijor Dal leader Akhil Gogoi of indirectly helping the BJP by not fielding candidates across all constituencies. “What is the point of calling this a ‘semi-final’ against BJP if you leave the field empty?” Islam asked. “I am an MLA from Jania and we have fielded candidates in every AP and ZP in our region. Can Akhil Gogoi or Bhupen Borah say the same?”
He also pointed out that hundreds of BJP candidates in districts like Jorhat and Dibrugarh were declared elected unopposed, blaming weak opposition efforts. “Both Borah and Gogoi must answer to the people of Assam for this,” he said.
On the political front, Islam predicted BJP’s defeat in key strongholds like South Salmara-Mankachar, Barpeta, and Bongaigaon, asserting that AIUDF candidates are deeply rooted at the grassroots and are actively working in the field, unlike opposition leaders he accused of being confined to “Hotel Lily meetings.”
Islam also commented on allegations within the Congress of BJP sympathizers and criticized Akhil Gogoi for failing to step in where Congress left gaps. “Rahul Gandhi and Gaurav Gogoi themselves have said there are BJP agents inside the Congress—but they don’t dare to act. And now Akhil Gogoi blames Congress instead of stepping up himself.”
As the panchayat polls near, the AIUDF is confident of making strong gains, especially in Lower Assam, where it claims to have significant influence. Islam concluded by calling on voters to reject both BJP and Congress and give AIUDF a chance to bring change from the grassroots.
