GUWAHATI — The tectonic plates of Assam’s political landscape shifted late Saturday evening as veteran leader and former Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In a move that has sent shockwaves through the opposition, Bordoloi was immediately named the BJP’s candidate for the high-profile Dispur assembly seat.
Bordoloi’s exit is not merely a defection; it is a public airing of a “long, internal quarrel” that he claims has paralyzed the state’s Congress unit. Speaking to the media, Bordoloi described his departure as the end of a two-year “freeze-out” that began with a single act of defiance.
The “Tharoor Factor” and the Cold Shoulder
According to Bordoloi, the rupture began when he chose to back Shashi Tharoor in the Congress presidential election. While he maintained that senior leaders like Mallikarjun Kharge remained cordial, he accused the party’s “second line” of leadership of systematically marginalizing him.
“I cannot remain in a party like a vegetable,” Bordoloi stated, describing a series of small, repeated humiliations where information dried up and invitations to decision-making circles ceased.
A “Jugalbandi” of Power
Bordoloi didn’t mince words regarding the current state of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC). He alleged that the party is now run by a “jugalbandi” (duo) consisting of Gaurav Gogoi and Rakibul Hussain, leaving other senior leaders as mere bystanders.
Key Grievances Cited by Bordoloi:
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Insularity: A senior leadership that reportedly doesn’t know how to utilize its veteran members.
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Trust Deficit: A breakdown in communication between the state unit and long-standing MPs.
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Lack of Dignity: Bordoloi claimed the BJP offered him the “self-respect and protection” he found lacking in his home of five decades.
A House Divided: The Impact on Margherita
The defection has also created a poignant family divide. Bordoloi’s son, Prateek Bordoloi, who was set to make his electoral debut from his father’s traditional stronghold of Margherita on a Congress ticket, has officially withdrawn his candidacy.
In a letter to Mallikarjun Kharge, Prateek stated that continuing would “create confusion” among voters following his father’s switch. However, in a significant twist, Prateek reaffirmed his “unwavering faith” in Congress ideals and confirmed he would remain with the party, working closely with Gaurav Gogoi.
BJP’s Strategic Gain
By inducting Bordoloi, the BJP has not only weakened the Congress’s frontline but also secured a heavyweight for Dispur, a seat that carries immense symbolic weight. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma welcomed the move, noting that Bordoloi’s experience would be vital for the “Viksit Assam” vision.
The Congress, meanwhile, has termed the exit “unfortunate,” with leaders like Priyanka Gandhi Vadra suggesting the move was driven primarily by disagreements over ticket distribution—a claim Bordoloi flatly denies.
