In a significant political development ahead of the upcoming state elections, Pradyut Bordoloi, a sitting Lok Sabha MP from Nagaon, has joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), delivering a major setback to the Indian National Congress in Assam.

Resignation from Congress Ahead of Elections

The development comes just 20 days before the Assam Assembly elections, intensifying the political battle in the state. Bordoloi resigned from the Congress, ending a long association that reportedly dates back to 1975.

In his resignation letter addressed to Mallikarjun Kharge, he stated:

• He was stepping down with an “overwhelming sense of sadness”,

• He resigned from all posts, privileges, and primary membership of the party.

Joins BJP in Presence of Top Leadership

Bordoloi officially joined the BJP in the presence of:

• Himanta Biswa Sarma

• Dilip Saikia

Welcoming him, Sarma described the move as a major boost for the BJP in the state.

BJP Signals More Inductions

Reacting to Bordoloi’s entry, Himanta Biswa Sarma said that:

• Bordoloi’s experience would strengthen the party,

• The state unit may recommend his candidature for the upcoming elections,

• BJP aims to bring more Congress leaders into its fold.

His remarks indicate a broader political strategy aimed at weakening the opposition ahead of the polls.

Bordoloi’s Reason: Self-Respect Over Position

Explaining his decision, Pradyut Bordoloi stated that:

• Securing a party ticket was “not a matter of life and death”,

• He chose to leave rather than accept what he described as humiliation,

• His decision was driven by a desire to “hold his head high”.

He also acknowledged the Congress for its past support but emphasised his intent to move forward independently.

Congress Downplays Exit

The Congress leadership attempted to downplay the impact of the exit. Senior leaders including:

• Jitendra Singh

• Gaurav Gogoi

described the situation as:

• “Differences within the family”,

• Alleged it was part of a political narrative driven by the BJP leadership.

Political and Electoral Implications

The timing of Bordoloi’s switch is crucial as Assam heads into elections scheduled for April 9.

Key implications include:

• Strengthening of BJP’s position in key constituencies,

• Potential weakening of Congress’s organisational structure,

• Possibility of further defections from opposition ranks.

Interestingly, Bordoloi’s son, Prateek Bordoloi, remains a Congress candidate in the upcoming elections, adding a layer of political complexity.

Background of Bordoloi’s Political Career

Pradyut Bordoloi is a seasoned नेता with:

• Experience as a former state cabinet minister,

• Two terms as a Lok Sabha MP,

• Long-standing association with the Congress party.

His shift marks one of the most prominent political defections in Assam in recent times.

Conclusion

The move by Pradyut Bordoloi to join the Bharatiya Janata Party represents a significant moment in Assam politics. Coming just weeks before the elections, it not only boosts the BJP but also poses a serious challenge for the Indian National Congress.

As political alignments continue to shift, the development could play a crucial role in shaping the electoral outcome in the state.

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