Guwahati, April 9 (IANS) A ruling Congress party candidate was critically injured late Saturday in an attack by suspected supporters of a rival political party in Assam, the first election-related clash in this month's assembly polls, officials said.

 
 Rezaul Karim, a candidate contesting the Jamunamukh constituency in the eastern Nagaon district, was attacked by a group of opposition Asom United Democratic Front (AUDF) supporters near his hometown of Jamunamukh.
 
 “Karim was returning home in his vehicle when a group of people armed with blunt objects, probably iron rods and sticks, stopped the vehicle and started attacking him. The car was damaged and Karim suffered head injuries and is now in hospital,” a police official said.
 
 Karim's police escort vehicle was moving ahead of his car and had strayed when the mob attacked him.
 
 “This is nothing but the handiwork of the AUDF. The AUDF supporters have realised their candidate was losing and hence the desperate attack,” said Karim’s sister, who did not wish to be named.
 
 The AUDF holds the Jamunamukh constituency in the assembly.
 
 The second and final phase of voting for 64 of the 126 assembly seats is due Monday.