Cong dents AGP rank to bolster bypoll bid

Guwahati, Oct 9 (UNI) Congress looks ready to fight the forthcoming bypolls at Jamunamukh legislative assembly council after cornering support of a few candidates of the opposition Asom Gana Parishad (AGP).

The AGP had planned to field Khalilur Rahman, who won from Jamunamukh in 1996 and 2001 polls before facing defeat from Badaruddin Ajmal, Assam United Democratic Front (AUDF) president, in the elections held early this year.

However, Mr Rahman sent the AGP thinktank into a tizzy by joining Congress.

The bypolls for Jamunamukh seat was neccesitated after Mr Ajmal vacated the seat to represent South Salmara LAC, the other seat he won in the last Assembly polls.

AUDF won ten seats in religious minority dominated areas at the expense of ruling Congress.

The AUDF performance put Congress in very uncomfortable position, as it had to lose traditional minority vote bases to the new party.

Hence, the seat is seen as a prestige for the ruling Congress.

UNI XC PP DB1526