NEW DELHI, May 5 : Anti-incumbency sentiment and a triangular contest with the BJP and Muslim-dominated Assam United Democratic Front (AUDF) may let down the sitting Congress MP and Union minister for heavy industries, Mr Santosh Mohan Dev (photo right), in his traditional seat of Silchar in Assam which went to the polls on 16 April.

According to sources in Assam Congress, the party has “almost given up hope” for the prestigious seat in Cachar district, not very far from Bangladesh, owing to “a secret understanding” between the AGP-BJP combine and the AUDF.

There were 16 candidates in the fray in Silchar and, besides Mr Dev, two other prominent contestants were former Union minister, Mr Kabindra Purkayastha of the BJP, and Assam United Democratic Front (AUDF) president, Mr Badruddin Ajamal.

However, party sources maintained that “internal power struggle within Congress” could be another reason for the party to possibly lose the seat.

“In the run-up to the polls, Mr Dev had made a desperate attempt to ensure an alliance with AUDF.

This was vital as Silchar has about 30 per cent Bengali Muslim population who share proximity with Mr Ajamal’s AUDF. But this was scuttled by chief minister Mr Tarun Gogoi,” the sources claimed.

Moreover, the heavy industries minister, who has represented the constituency several times in the past and also helped in the development of the area, faced “unhappiness” from the locals as despite his assurances no major industry has come up in the region lately.

Another factor that could have gone against Mr Dev is the failure of Left and other secular parties to sew up an alliance in Silchar, sources said. “The seat sharing arrangements could not materialise effectively due to unyielding attitude of the AUDF and parties like CPI-M who fielded Deepak Bhattacharyya for the seat,” said a Congress leader.

The presence of Ajamal as AUDF candidate only led to clear division of the Muslim votes putting the BJP nominee in an “advantageous position”.