The All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) suffered a major jolt ahead of the upcoming Assam Assembly elections as party leader and Sonai Constituency MLA Karim Uddin Barbhuiya stepped down from the party on Thursday.
In a statement shared on social media, Barbhuiya said he decided after consulting people from different sections of society. He stated that leaving the party was a step taken “for the sake of peace and harmony.”
He wrote, “Today I have decided to resign from AIUDF. The decision was taken after consulting people from Sonai and various other sections of society.”
While Barbhuiya has not disclosed his future political course, a switch to some other party is not ruled out as is generally witnessed ahead of elections. However, speculations are rife that he may join the BJP’s ally Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), and will contest the polls in the Sonai assembly seat in Cachar district.
Also Read: Three Congress MLAs join BJP in Assam ahead of assembly polls
Karim Uddin Barbhuiya has been associated with the AIUDF for several years and has been an active figure in state politics. His decision to step away from the party is expected to have political implications in his constituency and could trigger further realignments in the run-up to the polls.
Barbhuiya’s announcement comes on the same day that three suspended Congress MLAs, Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha, Basanta Das, and Sashi Kanta Das joined the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The legislators said they had become disillusioned with the Congress and decided to join the BJP in the interest of the state and the nation. The three MLAs are considered close to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and have been openly supportive of the BJP in recent years.
