The Indian National Congress in Assam faced a significant setback on Tuesday as senior leader and sitting Lok Sabha MP from Nagaon, Pradyut Bordoloi, resigned from the party, while the resignation comes a mere 20 days before the scheduled Assembly elections in the state. Bordoloi, a two-time MP and former state minister, submitted his resignation to All India Congress Committee (AICC) President Mallikarjun Kharge, citing deep distress over recent developments within the party.
Details of the Resignation and Political Context
In his one-line resignation letter, Bordoloi announced his departure from the primary membership and all organizational posts of the Congress party, while the timing of this move is particularly critical as his son, Pratik, is currently contesting as a Congress candidate from the Margherita constituency, where polling is set for April 9. The resignation has sent shockwaves through the party's state unit, highlighting internal friction during a crucial election cycle.
Dispute Over Ticket Distribution in Lahorighat
According to sources, the primary reason behind Bordoloi's exit is dissatisfaction with the party's candidate selection process. Bordoloi had reportedly expressed strong opposition to the re-nomination of sitting MLA Asif Mohammad Nazar from the Lahorighat seat, which falls under the Nagaon parliamentary constituency. He alleged that a close associate of Nazar was involved in an attack on him and other leaders in April 2025, for which a police chargesheet has been filed. Bordoloi claimed that the state leadership failed to address these grievances.
BJP's Invitation and CM Himanta Biswa Sarma's Offer
Following the news of the resignation, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma publicly invited Pradyut Bordoloi to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The Chief Minister stated that the BJP wouldn't only welcome him but also offer him an opportunity to contest the upcoming Assembly elections from a safe seat, while this development has intensified speculation regarding Bordoloi's future political trajectory and the potential impact on the Congress party's electoral prospects.
Broader Organizational Impact on Assam Congress
Bordoloi's departure follows a series of high-profile exits from the Assam Congress, including former state president Bhupen Kumar Borah. On the same day as Bordoloi's resignation, another senior leader and close associate, Navajyoti Talukdar, also quit the party. Talukdar was reportedly aggrieved after being denied a ticket for the Guwahati Central seat. These consecutive resignations indicate a growing organizational challenge for the Congress as it prepares for the upcoming polls.
Mediation Efforts by Party Leadership
In response to the crisis, the Congress central leadership has initiated efforts to reconcile with the disgruntled MP. State President Gaurav Gogoi and AICC in-charge Jitendra Singh are currently holding meetings with Bordoloi in Delhi to address his concerns. The party leadership is attempting to persuade him to withdraw his resignation to maintain unity ahead of the elections. The outcome of these discussions remains a focal point of political interest in the state.