AGP happy that Cong lost by-election in Asom

Guwahati, Nov 11 (UNI) The opposition Asom Gana Parishad expressed happiness over its arch rival Congress loss in the recent by-election at Jamunamukh Assembly Constituency.

AGP president Brindabon Goswami today said that the people had showed their wisdom by defeating the ruling Congress, ''which used the government machinery, money and muscle power'' during electioneering.

''As voters in Jamunamukh decided to ensure that there should be no division of anti-Congress votes, the AGP failed to perform to its expectation. However, we welcome the verdict as it was against undemocratic means adopted by the Congress during electioneering,'' he added.

The Asom United Democratic Front (AUDF) emerged winner in the by-election with its candidate Sirajuddin Ajmal defeating his nearest Congress rival Khalilur Rahman Chaudhury by over 13,400 votes. The AGP candidate came a poor third.

In fact, the AGP's prospective candidate, Mr Chaudhury, was usurped at the eleventh hour by the Congress to be fielded as its candidate. Mr Chaudhury had won from Jamunamukh in 1996 and 2001 on an AGP ticket.

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