AIUDF not to contest in upcoming Assam bypolls, says MLA Rafiqul Islam

Guwahati (Assam) [India], October 23 (ANI): All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) said that they will not contest in the upcoming by-elections in Assam, which will be held in five assembly constituencies of the state.
AIUDF MLA and party General Secretary Rafiqul Islam on Tuesday told ANI that his party has decided not to contest the bye-elections.
"Earlier, we had announced that we would fight in one out of five seats. After getting suggestions from various organisations and secular intellectuals, our core committee led by party president Badruddin Ajmal has decided that this time we will not contest any seat in by-elections. We will focus on the upcoming panchayat election in the state, which might be held in December this year," Rafiqul Islam said.
The by-elections for five assembly seats in Assam - Behali, Bongaigaon, Sidli, Dholai and Samaguri, will be held on November 13.
The AIUDF MLA further said that in the 2021 assembly polls, AIUDF didn't fight in these five seats.
"But we have a vote bank in each constituency. We can't support BJP and communal forces. We are not allies with any other party and can't urge our party workers or supporters to support any candidate. They will cast their votes in favour of a suitable candidate in each constituency," Rafiqul Islam said.
Earlier on Tuesday, Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) an ally of the Bharatiya Janta Party-led Assam government on Monday named Lok Sabha MP Phani Bhushan Choudhury's wife Diptimoyee Choudhury as the party candidate for the Bongaigaon seat for Assam by-election.
Despite opposition from section of party leaders and workers, the AGP fielded for Diptimoyee Choudhury as the party candidate for the seat.
Another BJP ally United People's Party Liberal has fielded Nirmal Kumar Brahma as its party candidate for the by-election in Sidli seat.
The Bharatiya Janta Party have have named its candidates for Behali, Dholai and Samaguri seats. In Behali, BJP had named Diganta Ghatowar as their party candidate while Diplu Ranjan Sarma will contest from Samaguri and Nihar Ranjan Das from Dholai.
On the other hand, the opposition party Congress have also announced its candidates for Sidli, Bongaigaon, Samaguri and Dholai seats.
Tanzil Hussain who is the son of former Assam Minister and Lok Sabha MP Rakibul Hussain will contest as the Congress candidate from Samaguri seat whereas Dhrubajyoti Purakayastha will contest from Dholai seat.
Additionally Congress has put up Sanjib Warle from Sidli seat and Brajenjit Sinha from Bongaigaon seat.
The seats Behali, Dhalai, Bogaigaon, Sidli and Samaguri, fell vacant after the MLAs representing the constituencies were elected to the Lok Sabha. (ANI)