‘Not an easy decision’: Pradyut Bordoloi quits Congress, switches to BJP ahead of Assam polls

In a significant political setback ahead of the Assam Assembly elections, sitting MP Pradyut Bordoloi resigned from the Indian National Congress and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday. His switch comes at a crucial time, dealing a blow to the Congress as it prepares for the upcoming electoral battle in Assam.

Bordoloi joined the BJP in the presence of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and state party president Dilip Saikia, who welcomed his induction and said it would strengthen the party’s position. The BJP leadership indicated that Bordoloi, a senior leader with significant political experience, could be accommodated in the upcoming elections.

The two-time MP from Nagaon had submitted his resignation to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, citing dissatisfaction within the party. He described his decision as difficult, stating that despite a long association with Congress, he had been feeling sidelined in recent years.

Congress leaders, however, sought to downplay the development, terming it an internal matter. While some described the exit as part of “family differences”, others pointed to disagreements over ticket distribution as a key reason behind Bordoloi’s departure. The move follows another recent defection of senior leader Bhupen Kumar Borah, adding to the party’s challenges.

Bordoloi’s exit has intensified pressure on the Congress in Assam, where it now loses one of its limited Lok Sabha representatives from the state. As the BJP continues to consolidate its position, the defection underscores growing internal strains within the Congress ahead of the high-stakes elections.