AIUDF leaders release the party manifesto in Guwahati on Monday. Picture by UB Photos

Guwahati, March 24: The All-India United Democratic Front today released its manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections in Assam with more or less the same old promises.

AIUDF legislator Moin Uddin Ahmed, while releasing the manifesto, told reporters here that the party is committed to protect the interest of minorities and solve the illegal influx issue. He accused the ruling Congress government of not solving the issue of “D” (doubtful) voters for its nasty political interests.

“If our party comes to power, it will solve the vexed ‘D’ voters’ issue,” Ahmed said.

Barring illegal influx, the AIUDF manifesto lacks a comprehensive policy on how to solve the myriad problems faced by the minorities, especially the Muslims in the state.

Activists working for the welfare of minorities feel that the AIUDF manifesto is a document of 34 pages with promises, which would never be fulfilled. They said the manifesto is almost similar to that of other political parties, including the Congress.

“The AIUDF’s emergence in the recent years could be attributed to the Congress failures to bring welfare for minorities, particularly the religious minority. But the manifesto has not been able to highlight the party’s road map for a better future for the minorities,” an activist said.

Ahmed said the AIUDF is contesting the election on two issues — corruption and communalism. “Two Cs (corruption and communalism) have proved to be the biggest threats to our society. We will fight tooth and nail to defeat forces like the BJP,” he said.

The AIUDF manifesto has stressed the development of the Barak valley by setting up the Barak Valley Development Authority.

The AIUDF leaders said their party is committed to bring about a sea change in the valley if it comes to power.

Siddique Ali Thakuria, an AIUDF leader who was also present at the news conference, said his party is the only one truly committed to the welfare of minorities. He said a section of communal forces was trying to defame the AIUDF by bringing various charges. These forces are threatened by the AIUDF’s emergence, he said.

Ahmed denied the charges that the AIUDF has reached a secret understanding with the Congress for the election. He said his party would maintain its anti-Congress and anti-BJP stand in Assam.

The AIUDF will play a key role in Karimganj, Silchar, Dhubri, Kaliabor, Nagaon, Barpeta and even Guwahati seats. In the last Lok Sabha elections in 2009, its candidate secured more than 150,000 votes in Gauhati constituency.

The Congress is not comfortable with the idea of fighting the AIUDF in minority-dominated areas, a source said.

Ajmal road show

AIUDF president Badruddin Ajmal today kickstarted his campaign in Kaliabor constituency for party candidate Bijoy Kumar Tiru.

Ajmal, accompanied by more than 5,000 party workers, participated in a roadshow that covered almost all areas of the minority-dominated Dhing Assembly constituency. The show began in Nagaon and ended in Moirabari.

“My party leadership and I will concentrate on Kaliabor, where we hope our candidate shows a good performance,” Ajmal told reporters in Dhing.

“The Congress’s Gaurav Gogoi is a weak candidate. Only his father chief minister Tarun Gogoi is proud of him. In comparison, our candidate, Bijoy Kumar Tiru is stronger and has the ability to face the problems of the voters of Kaliabor,” said Ajmal.

He also ruled out any secret understanding between the AIUDF and the Congress.

and said the people’s assumption that Tiru is a weak candidate is just a conspiracy engineered by a section of Congress supporters.

Kaliabor Lok Sabha constituency comprises 10 constituencies, among which Rupohi, Dhing and Samaguri constituencies are minority-dominated ones.

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi also took out a road show from Nagaon on February 26, which covered many parts of Kaliabor constituency.