Guwahati/New Delhi, 18 March (HS): In a significant political development ahead of the 2026 Assam Assembly elections, Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday after resigning from the Congress party, dealing another setback to the opposition camp in the state.

Bordoloi took formal membership of the BJP in New Delhi in the presence of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and state BJP president Dilip Saikia. His switch comes at a crucial time when political activities are intensifying across Assam in the run-up to the Assembly elections.

The development follows closely on the heels of former Assam Congress president Bhupen Kumar Bora joining the BJP, raising concerns within the Congress over a steady erosion of its leadership base. With Bordoloi’s exit, the party has now lost one of its three sitting MPs from the state, weakening its parliamentary strength at a critical juncture.

Representing the Nagaon Lok Sabha constituency, Bordoloi had submitted his resignation to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday night before making his move public. Apart from being a seasoned parliamentarian, he also chaired the party’s manifesto committee for the upcoming Assam Assembly elections, making his departure both symbolically and organizationally significant.

Reacting to the development, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra indicated that Bordoloi was unhappy with the distribution of election tickets, suggesting internal differences as a possible reason behind his decision.

Welcoming him into the BJP, the Chief Minister highlighted Bordoloi’s long political career. Bordoloi's association with the Congress since 1975 and his tenure as Home Minister during the first government led by Tarun Gogoi in 2001.

CM Sarma launched a sharp attack on the Congress, alleging that the party no longer provides space for certain sections of leadership and asserting that the BJP will continue to induct capable leaders from rival parties.

Union Minister Pabitra Margherita, BJP MPs Pradan Baruah and Kamakhya Prasad Tasa, along with other party leaders, were present on the occasion.

Bordoloi’s defection is being seen as a major blow to the Congress in Assam, raising fresh questions over its internal cohesion and electoral strategy as the state heads into a high-stakes political contest.---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash