Can this election pave way for new secular front?

Guwahati: This election will test Muslim-dominated All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) and its allies RJD and JD(U) on whether they can cobble together a national-level secular front before the Uttar Pradesh polls next year.
There are talks both within and outside AIUDF that Assam’s main opposition party might look to play a role in the heartland state.This prospect has gained traction with JD(U) deciding to join the UP election. There are also talks of the Ajit Singh-led Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) merging with JD(U).
AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal stitched the alliance with RJD and JD(U) ahead of the Assam election as a counter to Congress’s charge that his party has a tacit understanding with BJP. “We are contesting the polls with two of the largest anti-BJP parties by our side. How can anyone accuse us of having truck with BJP?” AIUDF working president Aditya Langthasa, who belongs to the Dimasa tribe, said.
After the success of the ‘mahagathbandhan’ in Bihar, Ajmal shed his anti-Congress stance and tried to forge a similar understanding here. But his proposal left Congress unmoved.
Political commentators say AIUDF’s alliance with RJD and JD(U) has more to do with improving its prospects in Assam, rather than investing in states like UP. They also say that the limited presence of RJD and JD(U) in Assam is unlikely to transform AIUDF into a political force in other states.
Senior political analyst Haidar Hussain termed the alliance a ‘face-saver’ for Ajmal as it came at a time criticism was being directed at his alleged ‘understanding’ with BJP. “I don’t think Ajmal has any plans to ride on RJD and JD(U) to carve a share in the UP election. He tried to get a toehold in West Bengal in 2014, but failed. The AIUDF’s alliance with the two Bihar parties is only to emphasize its secular credentials,” Hussain explained.
A senior AIUDF leader said at the moment Ajmal’s focus is on playing the role of ‘kingmaker’ in the next government. The perfume baron has been saying that no party will be able to form the next government without AIUDF’s help. The minority-dominated party has fielded candidates in 74 out of 126 assembly seats.
Analysts add that AIUDF is set to gain further from BJP’s efforts to consolidate Hindu and tribal votes.
The civil society group, Justice and Equality Demand Trust (JEDT), headed by social activist Abdul Mannan, came out with a report recently, pointing out how AIUDF’s candidates in some seats have helped BJP’s growth through division of minority votes.
The report cites examples of past elections where Congress would have had the edge over BJP had AIUDF not fielded candidates. “In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, BJP won from Mangaldoi with 4,86,357 votes. Congress got 4,63,873 and AIUDF got 74,710 votes. AIUDF’s votes are primarily from the Muslim community. The number of minority votes was not sufficient to ensure AIUDF’s victory, but it fielded a candidate anyway and divided the vote,” Mazedur Rahman of JEDT pointed out.
At the moment Ajmal’s focus is on playing the role of ‘kingmaker’ in the next government. The perfume baron has been saying that no party will be able to form the next government without AIUDF’s help.