Ajmal had said after filing his nomination that education, healthcare, and flood and erosion-related issues would be among his priorities if elected
KRC TIMES Assam Bureau
Guwahati | Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday advised AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal to step away from active electoral politics and allow the next generation of party leaders to take forward the organisation.
Sarma made the remarks while campaigning for BJP candidate Debashish Sharma in the Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll, scheduled for October 6. Referring to Ajmal’s campaign activities, Sarma said the AIUDF chief should focus on religious activities and his health instead of travelling in the heat and rain for the election.
“Ajmal Sahab should focus on religious activities. What is the need to roam around in this heat for elections?” Sarma said during a campaign meeting in Nagaon. He said Ajmal has three sons and other party leaders who could take forward the AIUDF.
“Ajmal needs rest. He has three sons and other party members who can lead the party. Now Ajmal should only give blessings (dua),” Sarma said. The Chief Minister also referred to Ajmal’s age and health, saying that continued campaigning in difficult weather conditions could affect him.
“I am not speaking against him. I am just saying that if he keeps moving around in this sun and rain, it will only cause trouble for his health. So he should take care of his health,” he said.
Ajmal, the sitting MLA from Binnakandi and a three-time former Lok Sabha MP from Dhubri, is contesting the Nagaon bypoll himself. He filed his nomination on September 16 along with BJP candidate Debashish Sharma and Congress candidate Sibamoni Bora.
The bypoll was necessitated by the resignation of former Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi, who later contested the Assam Assembly election from Dispur on a BJP ticket. Polling is scheduled for October 6 and counting will take place on October 9.
Ajmal had said after filing his nomination that education, healthcare, and flood and erosion-related issues would be among his priorities if elected. Sarma has begun an intensive campaign for the BJP candidate and is scheduled to address multiple election meetings across the constituency ahead of polling.
