Guwahati, Mar 5: In a significant blow to the opposition, three suspended Assam Congress MLAs Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha, Basanta Das, and Sashi Kanta Das joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the state headquarters here on Saturday. The switch happened in the presence of BJP state president Dilip Saikia, just ahead of the Assam Legislative Assembly elections.
This defection follows former Assam Congress chief Bhupen Kumar Borah’s move to the BJP last month, signaling growing troubles for the Congress as polls near.
Union Minister of State Pabitra Margherita welcomed the new members, telling ANI, “Leaders from other parties, especially Congress, are joining BJP in support of our ideology.” He criticized the Congress’s recently announced list of 42 candidates, saying it lacks “freshness” with nearly 20 being repeat losers from past elections. “We have no concerns,” he added.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma echoed the sentiment on Wednesday, slamming the Congress list as a “dynastic” one dominated by family legacies. “BJP’s list will feature grassroots workers. We’re fully prepared,” Sarma told reporters.
The All India Congress Committee (AICC) released its candidates on Tuesday, including prominent names like Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi (Jorhat), Bitupan Saikia (Golaghat), Ripun Bora (Barchalla), and Mira Borthakur Goswami (Dispur). Women leaders fielded include Nandita Das (Hajo-Sualkuchi SC), Pallabi Saikia Gogoi (Teok), and Suruchi Roy (Ram Krishana Nagar SC).
The BJP-led NDA aims to retain power after two straight wins against the Congress-led alliance in Assam.
