AIUDF suspends two sitting MLAs amid reports of defections to AGP

Guwahati: All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) has suspended two sitting MLAs — party vice-president Karim Uddin Barbhuiya and Abdul Aziz — for six years from primary membership, citing “anti-party activities,” as several leaders from Badruddin Ajmal’s party prepare to join BJP ally Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) ahead of the upcoming assembly election.Although AGP is part of the NDA and the BJP-led govt in the state, it is seen as a regional party with comparatively greater acceptance among Muslims.Barbhuiya said on Thursday that he, along with two other suspended AIUDF MLAs —Nizam Uddin Choudhury of Algapur and Zakir Hussain Laskar of Hailakandi — will join AGP soon. All four are from the Barak Valley, which has a large Muslim electorate. A senior AIUDF leader accused them of working against the party, harming its image, and moving closer to AGP.“I am joining AGP because it is in the NDA. Minority Muslims should not stay away from power,” Barbhuiya told mediapersons here on Thursday, claiming AGP will win at least four seats in the coming election from Muslim-majority constituencies. “Muslims should be in the mainstream and with the govt to fulfil their demands,” he added.Barbhuiya described AIUDF president Badruddin Ajmal as an able leader and social reformer, but said he resigned in the interest of Muslims. “Minority Muslims should go one step ahead. For the sake of the community’s progress by one step, I am taking this step,” Barbhuiya said, adding that he is not leaving for personal reasons.He said after delimitation, there are 22 assembly seats where Muslim voters will be decisive in Assam. “Voting for Congress or AIUDF will not serve any purpose for Muslims,” he said.AIUDF was the second-largest party on the opposition bench with 15 MLAs after Congress until recently.In 2024, AIUDF suspended Nizam Uddin Choudhury and Zakir Hussain Laskar from primary membership for six years over similar allegations of anti-party activity.Sonai MLA Barbhuiya resigned from AIUDF’s primary membership on Thursday, but an AIUDF order said he had already been suspended for six years on Wednesday. “The central committee of AIUDF has been closely monitoring the activities of Karim Uddin Barbhuiya (Saju), MLA, vice-president, AIUDF, which has repeatedly been deemed controversial and detrimental to party’s interest. These actions have been classified as anti-party activities, having a negative impact on the organisation and tarnishing the party’s reputation. It is also reported that he is rendering support to an opposite political party and is all set to join that party,” the order said.The suspension order issued by AIUDF general secretary (administration) Hafiz Bashir Ahmed made the same allegations against Abdul Aziz, who was also suspended from primary membership for six years on Wednesday.AIUDF also suspended Sribhumi district committee president Sahabul Islam Choudhury on similar grounds.