After reports that the AIUDF has suggested Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra be a candidate for a Rajya Sabha seat from Assam, the BJP on Tuesday claimed that this only proved that the AIUDF and Congress had always a “tactical understanding”.

Talking to this correspondent, BJP spokesperson Rupam Goswami said: “We have no issues with the names of candidates the AIUDF suggests for the Rajya Sabha seat from Assam. But, now it is proved that they have always in an alliance in Assam. We have been saying for a long time the two parties are two sides of the same coin. They have a tactical understanding. The people of the state have finally understood this.”

Criticising the Congress-AIUDF alliance, BJP Lok Sabha MP Dilip Saikia said: “The AIUDF does not represent the indigenous Assamese, they rather represent suspected citizens.”

The AIUDF suggested that Priyanka be the joint Opposition candidate for one of the three vacant Rajya Sabha seats from Assam in the March 26 polls, sources said.

AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal so far has not yet officially announced support for Priyanka.

Assam PCC president, Ripun Bora said though the suggestion had come from some AIUDF leaders, the decision on Priyanka’s candidature will be taken only by the Congress high command.

He said the Congress in Assam, however, welcomed the AIUDF’s suggestion.