Journalism of Courage
Badruddin Ajmal founded the Assam-based party All India United Democratic Front and is its only MP from the Dhubri constituency. Founded in 2005, AIUDF is the third largest party in Assam, after BJP and Congress. He is also the state president of Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind. He was born on 12 February 1950, in Hojai, Assam, in a business-oriented family.
He inherited his father’s business, Ajmal Perfumes, and turned it into a global success. He later on decided to try his hand at politics, but instead of joining an already existing party, he chose to form his party, which led to the formation of AIUDF in 2005.
He took AIUDF to prominence very quickly and established itself as one of the king-makers of the state. He won the Lok Sabha elections from Dhubri seat in 2009, 2014 and 2019, which further added to his grip over the state’s political landscape.
His political career, though, has been tainted by controversies. His statements, which are frequently viewed as polarising and communal, have garnered condemnation from a range of social groups. He has been charged with encouraging illegal immigration, inflaming tensions within communities, and making provocative remarks about neighbouring populations. His reputation as a divisive character in Assam politics has been enhanced by these charges.
