Ahead of the upcoming elections in Assam, Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi on Wednesday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the presence of chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, a day after resigning from the Congress.
Reacting to the move, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra termed the decision “unfortunate” and indicated that differences over ticket distribution may have played a role.
Bordoloi joins BJP
Bordoloi formally joined the BJP in the presence of Sarma and state BJP chief Dilip Saikia. He alleged that he had been sidelined within the Congress, bringing an end to his long association with the party amid claims of internal neglect.
He clarified that his resignation was due to “multiple issues” and not solely over ticket allocation for the Assembly elections.
“For me, getting a ticket was not a question of life and death. There were multiple issues. What mattered was to hold my head high. The Congress party has given me a lot,” he said, according to ANI.
He further added, “I am in my second term in the Lok Sabha, with three years remaining. I could have accepted the humiliation to continue as an MP, but I chose to leave and work instead.”
Congress calls move ‘unfortunate’
Priyanka Gandhi said the resignation was regrettable and suggested that dissatisfaction over ticket allocation might have influenced Bordoloi’s decision.
“I think he was upset over ticket allocation. I wish we had a chance to talk—it is unfortunate,” she told reporters inside the Parliament complex.
Congress MP Imran Masood said the party would attempt to persuade Bordoloi to reconsider. Bordoloi currently represents the Nagaon Lok Sabha constituency.
Assam election schedule
Assembly elections in Assam will be held in a single phase on April 9, alongside polls in Kerala and Puducherry. Voting in Tamil Nadu is scheduled for April 23, while West Bengal will vote in two phases on April 23 and April 29, as announced by the Election Commission.
The counting of votes for all states and Union territories will take place on May 4.
