Assam party offers insurance to workers against poll violence

Guwahati: The AIUDF of Lok Sabha member Maulana Badruddin Ajmal has offered its workers insurance against election-related violence in Assam.

All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) leader and Lok Sabha member from Barpeta, Sirajuddin Ajmal has asked party workers to buy accidental insurance policies paying just Rs.716, which will get them Rs.2 lakh in case of any injury and Rs.5 lakh in case the insured person is killed in poll-related violence.

"Some Congress and BJP workers might resort to violence during the polls. We have witnessed such violence in the past," said Sirajuddin Ajmal, who is the brother of party chief and Dhubri Lok Sabha member Badruddin Ajmal.

Sirajuddin Ajmal also offered to pay the Rs.716 himself if a party worker is too poor to pay the premium.

AIUDF spokesman Champak Kalita said insurance companies have started this accidental insurance scheme strictly adhering to the Insurance Regulatory Development Authority (IRDA) and the rules laid down by the Election Commission.

"There is no harm in taking the insurance policies and it is not a violation of EC guidelines," said Kalita.

The 126 constituencies of Assam will go to polls in two phases -- 65 constituencies on April 4 and 61 constituencies on April 11.

The AIUDF has 16 legislators in the outgoing assembly. This time, the party plans to put up candidates in 60 constituencies.