The political landscape of Assam has been dramatically reshaped as the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) chief, Maulana Badruddin Ajmal, unveiled his aggressive strategy for the 2026 Assembly elections. Abandoned by the main opposition front, Ajmal is positioning the AIUDF as a formidable third pole by seeking a critical alliance and declaring war on the Congress party.
The key announcements signal a complete breakdown of the wider opposition Mahajot and set the stage for a three-cornered contest in many minority-dominated areas.
🤝 AIUDF-AIMIM Alliance on the Cards
Ajmal confirmed today that the AIUDF is in talks for an electoral understanding with the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) , led by Asaduddin Owaisi .
- Strategic Move: This potential alliance, involving two influential minority-based parties, aims to consolidate the Muslim vote, particularly in Lower and Central Assam, where the AIUDF already holds significant sway.
- Target: Ajmal’s move comes after the Congress-led Asom Sonmilito Morcha (a revived eight-party opposition front) intentionally excluded the AIUDF, calling the party “communal.” By aligning with AIMIM, Ajmal appears determined to prove that the exclusion of his party only benefits the ruling BJP by splitting the secular vote.
Ajmal also expressed confidence that the AIUDF is preparing to contest 35 seats in the 126-member Assembly, asserting: “Our results will be better than Congress.”
🔥 Controversy Erupts Over ‘Shoot the Infiltrators’ Remark
While outlining his party’s future, Ajmal also waded into the perennial and sensitive issue of illegal immigration, making a highly controversial statement that is likely to draw immediate legal and political backlash.
Ajmal stated that the Miya community has been residing in Assam for “millions of years.” In the same breath, he challenged the government, saying that if Bangladeshis are crossing the border, the Chief Minister should order them to be shot.
This kind of polarizing rhetoric, though consistent with Ajmal’s past, strategically brings the focus back to identity and citizenship issues—topics that deeply influence electoral calculations for both the BJP and its opponents.
Geopolitics: A Three-Way Contest Ahead
The current political scenario is characterized by fragmentation among the opposition, which many analysts believe could favor the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
- BJP (NDA): The ruling coalition remains strong, focusing on governance, infrastructure, and hardline stance on immigration and culture. CM Sarma has previously dismissed Ajmal’s political relevance, claiming the AIUDF is no longer acceptable in Assam politics.
- Congress-led Alliance: The newly revived eight-party alliance, comprising the Congress, AJP, Raijor Dal, and others, is actively working on a unified banner but has decisively isolated the AIUDF.
- AIUDF-AIMIM Axis: This new partnership threatens to cut into the traditional Congress vote base in 30-35 minority-dominated seats, potentially turning direct Congress-BJP contests into a fractured three-way fight.
The coming months will witness a highly fluid political environment as all major players—BJP, Congress, and the new AIUDF-AIMIM front—finalize their seat-sharing and campaign strategies for the crucial 2026 polls.
