Kamalendu Bhattacharjee not to campaign for Ajmal

Moulana, Bhattacharjee not to campaign for Ajmal

: From our Staff Reporter , Silchar Lok Sabha Election
SILCHAR, March 30: AUDF boss faced two major blows in his fight for Silchar LS seat as powerful cleric as well as the advisor of the party Moulana Toyyubur Rahman and former AUDF Cachar Unit president Kamalendu Bhattacharjee had refused to directly campaign for the party in the forthcoming general election. Amir-e-shariyat or the Chief of Northeast Moulana Rahman of Nadwatut Tamir, an Islamic religious organization having considerable influence in the Barak Valley, played a vital role in the formation of the AUDF after the controversial IMDT touted as the shield for the minorities, was scrapped by the supreme court.

The Moulana took active part in the campaigning during the last Assembly election but he could not reportedly subscribe to Ajmal’s decision to fight the Silchar seat as this would indirectly help the BJP. Earlier talking to The Sentinel, the Moulana reserved his comment on Ajmal’s decision but did not indicate his dissatisfaction by admitting that in spite of his being the advisor, the party did not discuss with him in this issue. Ajmal later told that he would personally talk to the to the Moulana. But, a close confident of the Moulana indicated that he had decided not to campaign for the party this time.

Further he was very much dissatisfied for the repeated ego clash between Hailakandi party MLA Salimuddi and district president Anil Nath.

Meanwhile, one time right hand of Congress heavyweight of Sontosh Mohan Dev Kamalendu Bhattacharjee who joined the AUDF after a clash with his erstwhile mentor had turned down the offer for campaigning made to him by AUDF working president Hafiz Rashid Chowdhury on Sunday. Chowdhury along with some of the party MLA’s went to Bhattacharjee’s house and requested him to campaign for the party. But, Bhattacharjee virtually turned down the offer.

Bhattacharjee, who unsuccessfully contested in the last Assembly election as AUDF candidate, told The Sentinel that for some personal reasons he would not be in a position for campaigning for the party this time. Bhattacharjee, who was made the district unit president only to be replaced subsequently, distanced himself for the AUDF soon after he lost the election. He had reportedly even made some desperate attempts to re-enter into the Congress, but was denied by Dev.

Meanwhile, talking to this correspondent, Hafiz Rashid adimitted approaching Bhattacharjee and his refusal. “I am not sure whether he is still in party as he has not tendered any resignation formally”, Chowdhury answered while asked whether Bhattacharjee still belonged to the AUDF.
A source in the party said, party MLA from Katigorah Moulana Ataur Rahman Majarbhuiya played a vital role from the ouster of Bhattacharjee, an influential politician during his long day as Dev’s trusted lieutenant. But this assurance turned out to be futile as Ajmal and his brother Sirajuddin were contesting for these two seats. THE SENTINEL