Leaders prone to changing party backfire

Guwahati, Mar 21: In the run up to the elections, the focus has shifted to the minority leaders contesting the forthcoming Assembly polls, as undivided support from the minority community can catapult a party to the seat of power in Asom.

However, too much importance on certain leaders who are prone to change party affiliation can backfire.

The Congress nominee for minority dominated Jamunamukh LAC, former minister Rashidul Haque, who had just rejoined the party after heading the state unit of Janata Dal (United) for the last few years, was prevented by peeved workers of his previous party from filing his nomination papers.

The JD(U) workers surrounded his residence at Nagaon to prevent him from filing his nomination papers.

The JD(U) workers wanted him to contest from Haque's stronghold from Rupahihat LAC, but not as Congress candidate.

The ruling Congress was embarrassed and lost its face before party workers. The party had ignored another claimant to party nomination for Jamunamukh LAC, Bashiruddin Lashkar and nominated Haque. Lashkar is now in the fray as an Independent.

However, Haque remains unfazed. He has now turned to Asom Gana Parishad (Progressive) led by former Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta to support his candidature as an Independent from Rupahihat LAC, where polls will be held on April 10.

UNI