The fate of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will be decided by voting for two Rajya Sabha seats on May 30 as All-India United Democratic Front refused to withdraw its candidate on Thursday last date for withdrawing nomination.
Though, victory of PM is almost certain but nomination of Santius Kujur, a little known Congress leader for second Rajya Sabha seat, has thrown a spanner into his smooth elections. A section of Congress MLAs led by former minister Anjan Dutta has openly expressed their reservation over the nomination of Mr Kujur, who is backed by Union minister Pawan Singh Ghatowar and leader of dissident camp and health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
In an obvious attempt to avoid elections, Assam CM Tarun Gogoi on Wednesday met AIUDF president Badruddin Ajmal in New Delhi and requested to withdraw their candidate in support of PM but his request was turned down. The AIUDF is supporting the UPA alliance government in New Delhi.
The AIUDF, which has only 18 MLAs in the Assam assembly, has fielded Mr Animul Islam hoping to capitalise the ongoing rift in the ruling Congress party. The AIUDF president and MP Badurddin Ajmal who refused to open his strategy claimed that they are sure to win second seat. When asked about support of MLAs, he told reporters, “Ye andar ki baat hai”.