Guwahati, March 26: Led by Congress, at least 11 Opposition parties in Assam on Sunday staged a “sankalp satyagraha” to protest disqualification of Rahul Gandhi from Lok Sabha following his conviction in a defamation case.

The All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), another important Opposition party led by Badruddin Ajmal, however, did not take part in the Congress-led protest programme.

President of Assam Pradesh Congress Committee, Bhupen Kumar Borah told reporters that the satyagraha was part of the protest programmes by the Opposition parties in order to fight BJP and its continuous attempt to destroy democracy and the Constitution.

“All the 11 parties will unitedly stage protests across Assam against the manner in which Rahul Gandhi was disqualified as a member of the Lok Sabha. This united fight will continue till Gandhi’s membership is restored,” Borah said.

Apart from Congress, three left parties, Assam unit of Trinamool Congress, Asom Jatiya Parishad, Akhil Gogoi-led Raijor Dal, NCP, Rashtriya Janata Dal and Aam Aadmi Party were some of the parties who took part in the ‘satyagraha’ on Sunday.

“We will stage protests jointly in the districts and sub-divisions in the days to come. Our AICC leaders will also come to Assam and address protest meetings,” Borah added.

Sources said Congress is trying to step up the protests in order to reap political mileage in the Lok Sabha elections slated next year.

Assam has 14 Lok Sabha seats and Congress won three in the 2019 elections. BJP bagged nine while AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal won the Dhubri seat. Independent candidate Naba Kumar Sarania won the Kokrajhar Lok Sabha seat for the second term.

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