Assam polls: If 'chaiwala' can become PM, why can't a perfume baron be a kingmaker, asks AIUDF

Guwahati: AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal on Saturday expressed hope his party will do well in Assam Assembly elections and claimed that his party will play a crucial role in government formation after the polls.

Exuding confidence on the outcome of the elections, Ajmal said, “If a 'chaiwala' can become a prime minister, why can't a perfume baron who has business in 27 countries be a kingmaker.”

His comments hinted at the role the AIUDF would play in government formation in Assam after the elections.

He said that his party wanted a grand alliance like Bihar in Assam but Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi was not interested.

“Wanted a grand alliance like Bihar in Assam. Nitish ji and Prashant Kishore ji even tried but CM Gogoi didn't let it happen,” ANI quoted Ajmal as saying.

The All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) arrived in Assam’s political scene in 2005. It has rapidly progressed in a short period of time.

From 10 seats in 2006 Assembly elections, the number went up to 18 in 2011, making it the second largest party in the state assembly.

In 2014 Lok Sabha election, it equalled the Congress party figure in Assam by winning three seats.