Guwahati | Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi on Sunday alleged a “secret alliance” between the BJP and the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), claiming that AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal’s candidature in the Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll would benefit the ruling party.

Addressing a Congress campaign rally at Dhing in support of party candidate Sibamoni Bora, Gogoi described Ajmal as “Himanta Biswa Sarma’s 108”, referring to the emergency ambulance service. Gogoi alleged that Ajmal’s entry into the contest was intended to affect the Congress vote base and help the BJP in the October 6 bypoll. He also claimed that the AIUDF had altered its candidate choice after assessing its potential impact on the electoral contest.

The Congress leader alleged that the developments pointed to an understanding between the BJP and AIUDF, though he did not provide evidence to substantiate the claim. Gogoi also criticised the BJP’s campaign in minority-dominated areas, claiming that increased campaigning by the ruling party in such constituencies would not necessarily translate into electoral gains.

Referring to previous Assam Assembly elections, he alleged that the BJP had mounted extensive campaigns in minority-dominated constituencies but failed to achieve the outcome it had sought. The Nagaon bypoll has emerged as a key contest, with the BJP, Congress and AIUDF among the principal parties campaigning in the constituency.

The by-election was necessitated by the resignation of former Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi from the Lok Sabha. Voting is scheduled for October 6, while counting will take place on October 9.