AIUDF Faces Internal Crisis in Assam as MLA Resigns Amid Defection Rumors
Guwahati: The All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) is grappling with significant internal turbulence in Assam just ahead of the crucial assembly elections, following the resignation of party MLA Zakir Hussain Laskar from the Hailakandi constituency on Friday.
Resignation Follows Suspension of Two Senior MLAs
Laskar's unexpected resignation came merely one day after the AIUDF leadership took the drastic step of suspending two of its prominent MLAs amid mounting reports that both legislators were actively preparing to defect to the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), which serves as a key ally of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in the state.
Notably, Laskar has chosen not to publicly disclose his specific reasons for stepping down from his legislative position, and the AIUDF party apparatus has similarly refrained from releasing any official explanation provided by the resigning MLA regarding this consequential decision.
Party Sources Indicate Likely Defection to AGP
According to informed sources within the party hierarchy, the AIUDF leadership plans to carefully consider this matter through appropriate internal channels. These same sources strongly indicated that Laskar is highly likely to join the Asom Gana Parishad in the very near future, following what appears to be an emerging pattern of defections from the minority-based party.
Central Committee Takes Strong Disciplinary Action
This latest development directly follows the AIUDF's formal decision to suspend Abdul Aziz, who represents the Badarpur constituency, and Karim Uddin Barbhuiya, the sitting MLA from Sonai who additionally served as a party vice-president, for what the party described as clear anti-party activities.
The AIUDF central committee imposed a substantial six-year suspension on both leaders, citing serious violations of party discipline and principles. In its official suspension order, the party stated it had been closely monitoring the activities of both MLAs for some time, characterizing their behavior as consistently controversial and fundamentally detrimental to the organization's core interests and political standing.
Official Suspension Order Details Allegations
The suspension document, which was formally issued under specific provisions of the AIUDF party constitution and duly signed by party general secretary (administration) Hafiz Bashir Ahmed, explicitly alleged that the actions of both suspended MLAs had caused measurable harm to the party's public image, violated established party discipline protocols, and amounted to effectively extending political support to another political party while simultaneously preparing to switch their own allegiance.
Barbhuiya Announces Departure from AIUDF
On Thursday, just one day before Laskar's resignation, Karim Uddin Barbhuiya publicly announced his decision to leave the AIUDF after several years of association. In his statement, Barbhuiya wrote: "I have decided to leave the AIUDF. I have taken this significant decision after extensive consultations with people from diverse sections of society, purely for the sake of promoting peace and harmony in our region."
While Barbhuiya did not explicitly outline his immediate political plans following his departure, political speculation has intensified dramatically that he may soon join the Asom Gana Parishad and potentially contest the upcoming assembly elections once again from the Sonai seat in Cachar district. Observers note that Barbhuiya has developed notably close proximity with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in recent years, fueling these defection rumors.
Barbhuiya's Political Significance in Barak Valley
Karim Uddin Barbhuiya represents a prominent political leader from southern Assam who has successfully represented the Sonai assembly constituency in the politically significant Barak Valley region for multiple terms. His departure from the AIUDF, where he maintained association for several years, marks a substantial blow to the party's organizational strength in this crucial geographical area ahead of the impending electoral contest.
The convergence of these developments—the resignation of one MLA and the suspension of two others for alleged anti-party activities—creates a perfect storm of internal crisis for the AIUDF at precisely the moment when political parties are intensifying their preparations for the upcoming assembly elections in Assam.
