AIUDF unveils Panchayat poll manifesto, vows clean governance and blasts BJP, Congress for weak opposition

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaApril 30, 2025

The All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) on Tuesday released its manifesto for the upcoming Assam panchayat elections, promising corruption-free local governance while sharply attacking both the BJP and Congress for what it called failures in leadership and accountability.

Speaking at the party headquarters, AIUDF general secretary and MLA Hafiz Rafiqul Islam announced that the party has fielded candidates in 74 Zila Parishads (ZPs) and more than 300 Anchalik Panchayats (APs) across major districts, including Dhubri, Goalpara, Bongaigaon, South Salmara-Mankachar, Barpeta, Darrang, Nagaon, Morigaon, Hojai, Lakhimpur, and Hailakandi.

“Our central pledge is to build transparent and efficient panchayats,” said Islam. “We’ve nominated young, educated candidates without taking money in exchange for tickets. If elected, our panchayat representatives will serve with integrity and accountability.”

Islam strongly criticized the poor implementation of MGNREGA, alleging that both central and state governments have failed rural workers. “Job card holders are denied the mandatory 100 days of work. Funds are delayed, and restrictive conditions are being used to mask the state’s financial crisis,” he claimed.

Targeting the opposition, Islam accused Congress state president Bhupen Kumar Borah and Raijor Dal leader Akhil Gogoi of indirectly aiding the BJP by not contesting all available seats. “How can you call this a ‘semi-final’ against BJP if your team doesn’t show up?” he said. “We have candidates in every AP and ZP in our regions—can they say the same?”

He also noted that in districts like Jorhat and Dibrugarh, hundreds of BJP candidates were elected unopposed, which he blamed on weak opposition coordination. “Both Borah and Gogoi must take responsibility for letting BJP win without a fight,” Islam added.

On electoral prospects, Islam said AIUDF is in a strong position and predicted BJP’s defeat in South Salmara-Mankachar, Barpeta, and Bongaigaon. He emphasized that AIUDF workers are active at the grassroots, unlike rival leaders he accused of holding “closed-door meetings at Hotel Lily” while avoiding real engagement with voters.

He also addressed internal rifts within the Congress, referencing remarks by Rahul Gandhi and Gaurav Gogoi about BJP sympathizers within the party. “Congress won’t act, and Akhil Gogoi only blames them instead of filling the gaps left behind.”

As the May 2 and 7 panchayat elections approach, AIUDF is framing itself as the only party capable of defeating the BJP and delivering on promises of clean governance and local empowerment.