In a major political setback for the Congress in Assam just weeks before the Assembly elections scheduled for April 9, 2026, veteran leader and sitting Nagaon Lok Sabha MP Pradyut Bordoloi resigned from the party and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Bordoloi, who had been associated with the Congress since the age of 16, formally submitted his resignation to party president Mallikarjun Kharge on March 18, 2026, ending a nearly five-decade-long journey. He was welcomed into the BJP the very next day in the presence of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and other senior leaders.
Long Association with Congress Ends in Disillusionment
Bordoloi’s political career in the Congress was illustrious. He served as a four-time MLA, including from Margherita, and held key ministerial portfolios under former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi for three terms, handling departments such as Industry & Commerce and Power. He was also appointed chairman of the Congress manifesto committee for the upcoming Assam polls.
Despite this deep loyalty, Bordoloi described his final years in the party as marked by neglect and disrespect. In exclusive interviews, he repeatedly used strong words to express his feelings.
“I was feeling suffocated. I was feeling isolated,” he said, adding that a series of actions made him feel “unwanted” in the organisation he had served lifelong. He claimed he sent nearly 20 messages to Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal seeking a meeting but received no response.
Bordoloi pointed to prolonged humiliation over the last two years. He traced part of the rift to his support for Shashi Tharoor during the Congress presidential election, where he acted as a proposer. He also criticised the current Assam Congress leadership under Gaurav Gogoi, describing him as “meritorious but not a team person and a bad organiser.”
Other grievances included the party’s alleged protection of certain elements, including Uttar Pradesh leader Imran Masood, whom Bordoloi described as a “communal leader.” He recounted instances where his concerns about candidate selection and internal issues were dismissed or insulted in meetings.
“I could have accepted the humiliation if I wanted to remain as an MP. But I decided to leave,” Bordoloi emphasised. He insisted the move was driven by “principles, not power” or any desire to retain his parliamentary seat, and that he resigned from the Lok Sabha as well. “I have become very lonely… I decided to quit not only for self-respect but also to work in the larger interest of Assam,” he added.
Warm Welcome in BJP and Electoral Plans
The BJP rolled out the red carpet for Bordoloi. Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma personally welcomed him, hailing the induction as a significant boost for the party. Reports indicate that Bordoloi has been fielded as the BJP candidate from the prestigious Dispur Assembly constituency.
His son, Prateek Bordoloi, who had been named the Congress candidate from Margherita (a seat his father had represented multiple times), withdrew his nomination following the development to avoid confusion among workers and voters. Prateek, however, chose to remain a Congress primary member.
Congress Reaction: ‘Unfortunate’ and Accusations of Poaching
Congress leaders described Bordoloi’s exit as “unfortunate.” Priyanka Gandhi Vadra suggested it stemmed from differences over ticket allocation and expressed regret that there was no opportunity for dialogue. The party accused the BJP of actively poaching its leaders in the run-up to the polls.
This is the latest in a string of exits from the Assam Congress, including former state unit chief Bhupen Kumar Borah, reviving memories of Himanta Biswa Sarma’s own departure from the party a decade ago.
Political Implications
Bordoloi’s switch comes at a critical time, with the Congress already struggling in Assam. Losing one of its three Lok Sabha MPs from the state is seen as a morale booster for the ruling BJP and a further blow to the opposition’s prospects in the single-phase Assembly elections.
Bordoloi has maintained that his decision was painful but necessary after years of feeling sidelined. He expressed reassurance at the warmth and welcome extended by the BJP “parivar,” saying he hoped to integrate seamlessly and contribute effectively.
The development underscores the internal churn within the Assam Congress and the intense pre-poll manoeuvring in the state. As campaigning intensifies, Bordoloi’s move is likely to remain a talking point in Assam’s political landscape.
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