BJP Assam minister Nandita Gorlosa defects to Congress
GUWAHATI: The growing resentment within the ruling BJP in Assam over allotment of party nomination for April 9 Assembly Election has reflected in a sharp outward manifestation in resignation of minister Nandita Gorlosa, a popular BJP face hailing from hill district of Dima Hasao, from the primary membership of the saffron party to join the Congress after the sitting MLA from Haflong LAC was denied ticket by the BJP.
The Congress has promptly provided her party nomination to contest from Haflong LAC replacing the already declared party candidate. This development has increased the level of discomfort of the state BJP leadership which is already facing brewing rebellion within the party over poll tickets allotments especially to two Congress leaders – Bhupen Borah and Pradyut Bordoloi – who shifted allegiance to the BJP just before the start of the nomination process.
Gorlosa’s move is being viewed as politically crucial in Dima Hasao district, where she has built a strong base over the last five years.
Welcoming her into the party fold, Congress said Gorlosa has consistently raised issues concerning the district and remained steadfast in her political positions.
Senior Congress leader Jitendra Singh Alwar, in a post on X, said that leaders committed to protecting Assam and ensuring its prosperity are aligning with the party. He described Gorlosa as a strong voice of Dima Hasao who stood firm on her principles despite political challenges.
Nandita Garlosa joined the party in the presence of Nirmal Langthasa, who extended his support to her candidature after withdrawing from the race.
The Congress party formally announced her candidature Monday, stating that its earlier nominee, party General Secretary Nirmal Langthasa, has stepped aside in the “greater public interest” to accommodate Garlosa.
Meanwhile, reacting to Nandita Gorlosa’s departure to the Congress, Assam BJP President Dilip Saikia Monday said he had personally exhorted upon her to remain in the party, but she chose to take a “personal decision”.
Saikia recalled that ahead of the 2021 Assembly elections, he had assured during the campaign that Gorlosa would be given a ministerial berth and that he would take up the matter with the Chief Minister.
“That promise was fulfilled, and she was inducted as a minister in the cabinet led by Himanta Biswa Sarma,” he said.
He added that due to “changed circumstances” this time, the party could not offer her a ticket, and the reasons were clearly communicated to her.
“I had a detailed conversation with her,” Saikia noted. “As state president, I do not want anyone to leave the BJP,” he said.
The BJP has nominated a new face Rupali Langthasa to contest from Haflong LAC.
Nandita Garlosa’s departure from the BJP to the Congress is expected to add more steam to the electoral battle in Haflong, a key seat in Assam’s hill district region.
The BJP is contesting 89 out of the total 126 Assembly seats in Assam leaving the rest the seats to allies AGP (26 seats) and Bodoland People’s Front (BPF). The Congress is contesting 100 seats leaving the remaining 26 seats to its allies.