'Nothing political or religious': Army clarifies General Bipin Rawat's remarks on AIUDF's rise in Assam

The Indian Army on Thursday clarified its Chief General Bipin Rawat's remarks drawing a comparison between the growth speed of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) saying "there is nothing political or religious in the talk."

"There is nothing political or religious in the talk. Army Chief just mentioned amalgamation and development in the seminar on Northeast organised at DRDO Bhawan on 21 February," the army said.

On Wednesday General Rawat remarked that AIUDF, an Assam based regional party headed by Badruddin Ajmal, "has grown in a faster time-frame than the BJP grew over the years."

The AIUDF is the champion of Muslims in Assam.

"There is a party called AIUDF (All India United Democratic Front). They have grown in a faster time-frame than the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) grew over the years. When we talk of Jan Sangh with two MPs and where they have reached, AIUDF is moving at a faster pace in the state of Assam," General Rawat said. 

He made this statement while addressing North East Region of India Bridging Gaps and Securing Borders Summit in New Delhi on Wednesday.

AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal expressed shock on Rawat's 'political statement' and asked "why the rise of a political party is a concern for the Army Chief."

"General Bipin Rawat has made a political statement, shocking! Why is it a concern for the Army Chief that a political party, based on democratic and secular values, is rising faster than BJP?" Ajmal wrote on Facebook. 

"Alternative parties like AIUDF, AAP have grown because of the misgovernance of big parties. By making such statement, isn't the Chief of Army Staff indulging into politics which is against the constitutional mandate given to him?" he asked.

Another AIUDF leader said that the party's popularity is growing faster than the BJP because it is working for the downtrodden.

"AIUDF is working for the downtrodden. this is why our popularity is growing faster than BJP. We are hopeful that people of Assam irrespective of caste & creed, will accept AIUDF and our party will come to power soon," AIUDF MLA from Assam Aminul Islam said. 

(With Agencies)