Congress leaves no stone unturned to win bypoll

Guwahati, Nov 3 (UNI) The Congress in Asom is pulling all its strings to win the Jamunamukh by-election even as the Opposition is crying foul, apprehending rigging.

The constituency would go to polls on November 6. The seat was vacated by Asom United Democratic Front(AUDF) president Badaruddin Ajmal.

The Congress had been camping there for the past one week.

The AUDF have fielded Ajmal's brother Sirajuddin Ajmal while the Congress has fielded three-time AGP MLA Khalilur Rahman Choudhary.

Party sources said for the Congress, it was a ''prestige'' issue and it was trying everything in its power. Party's trouble shooter Himanta Biswa Sharma, Rockeybull Hussain and Ripun Bora--three ministers of the Gogoi cabinet had been camping in Jamunamukh for almost a week.

Addressing a news conference, NCP general secretary A Mazid Memon said the Election Commisison's(EC) code of conduct has been violated and there is ''possibibility of rigging''. Mr Menon had also been campaigning in Jamunamukh campaigning for the NCP candidate. The party had brought in filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt for campaigning as well.

''For the AUDF, it is very important to retain the seat as the senior Ajmal won from two seats and vacated his home constituency.

''The Congress will rig and I appeal to the Election Commission to ensure free and fair poll in the constituency,'' he said. AUDF President Badaruddin Ajmal has the same feeling.

He apprehends that ''presence of Himanta Biswa Sharma and Rockeybull Hussain would create trouble on the polling day.'' The AGP has put up a ''brave show with businessman Habib Ali''.

But the party insiders feel that they have no chance in the poll.

Party sources said, ''In the last election, the AGP came second and Khaliur Rahman Choudhary was offended that the party was trying to desert him, seeking an alliance with Badaruddin Ajmal. That is the reason he joined Congress this time.'' The Congress is, however, confident of winning this minority dominated constituency. ''You see the result. There is no chance of Ajmal'' Himanta Biswa Sharma said emphatically.

State Education Minister Ripun Bora has penned a street play against the AUDF.

This is the first by-election since the Congress came to power in May.

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