BJP rules out alliance with Badaruddin Ajmal's AIUDF in Assam

NEW DELHI: BJP today ruled out joining hands with Badaruddin Ajmal's AIUDF to form a government in Assam and claimed it will get absolute majority alone and two-thirds seats with its alliance partners.
"There is no question of joining hands with AIUDF. We alone will get absolute majority and with our partners, we will get two-thirds seats," BJP's chief ministerial candidate for Assam Sarbananda Sonowal told PTI.

BJP fought the elections to the 126-member Assam Assembly along with AGP and Bodoland People's Front. The counting of votes will take place on May 19.

Sonowal was replying to a question on whether BJP will forge alliance with Ajmal-led AIUDF in case it falls short of majority mark of 64.

Asked about AGP leader Prafulla Kumar Mahanta's statement that Sonowal is the BJP's chief ministerial candidate and not that of the alliance and his candidature was not formally conveyed to the allies, the Union Sports Minister said all partners went to the people before the polls with an "understanding and commitment" and everyone should respect it.

"We went to the people with an understanding and alliance and people accepted it," he said.

Sonowal also said there was "no backdoor" understanding and everything was "very transparent" much before the election.

"People have voted for us without prejudice. There was no confusion during the entire election process and there will be no confusion in the coming days too," he said.