Assam Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi’s recent switch to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has exposed vulnerabilities within the party, particularly as the state prepares for upcoming Assembly elections. The move follows a similar defection by Ravneet Singh Bittu, prompting a pointed exchange within the Congress regarding loyalty and alleged poaching by the BJP.
FAILURE TO PLUG RECURRENT PATTERNS OF POACHING
The timing of the defections aligns with a pattern of the BJP attracting prominent leaders from the Congress, a tactic that has reportedly been executed with relative ease. This latest development has further weakened the Assam Congress and bolstered the image of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma as a skilled strategist.
“Since the beginning, we knew that the Congress doesn’t stand a chance. Our position is very weak. It’s a one-sided contest. Himanta knows even the grassroots workers by name — not only in his party but also in other parties. In fact, many are his appointees, and through them he maintains control over rival groups,” said a leader familiar with Congress affairs in Assam.
ROCKING THE CONGRESS BOAT
The defection of former Assam Congress chief Bhupen Borah, occurring shortly after a dinner with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, underscored the party’s internal challenges. Borah ended his 32-year stint with the Congress to join the BJP.
“I was with the party for 32 years. Even when I was PCC president, I would get calls from Delhi saying Gaurav would decide, and I remained quiet. I wrote nearly 22 letters to the state in-charge about my humiliation at the behest of Gaurav Gogoi, all marked to the top Congress leadership, but it all fell on deaf ears. What should I have done?” said Bhupen Borah.
The appointment of Gaurav Gogoi as Assam Congress chief had initially been met with optimism, with many believing he could revitalize the party and challenge Himanta Biswa Sarma. However, internal bickering and discontent among senior leaders who felt overlooked by the party high command created an opening for the BJP.
TREMORS IN DELHI’S POWER CORRIDORS
“When a sitting MP leaves, it means there is a serious problem within. The party needs to ask why senior leaders feel humiliated, why there is a communication gap, and why veteran leaders are not being heard,” said a Congress MP expressing concern over the developments.
Bordoloi’s exit occurred while senior Gandhi family members and party president Mallikarjun Kharge were present in Parliament, highlighting the party’s inability to retain its members. The move will reduce the party’s strength in the Lok Sabha from 100 to 99 unless the Congress wins the upcoming bypoll.
NEVER-ENDING SAGA OF TURNCOATS
Following his switch to the BJP, Bordoloi confirmed his intention to resign from the Lok Sabha and contest the upcoming Assembly elections, having been declared the BJP candidate from Dispur. He shared a series of unanswered WhatsApp messages sent to Congress General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal seeking a meeting.
“I was unhappy. Since January, I have sent KC so many messages on WhatsApp. Not once did he reply. I even went outside his house in Lodhi Estate and stood there to meet him, but I didn’t get an appointment. If this is the fate of a sitting MP, what is the worth of party workers?”
Bordoloi also expressed opposition to the candidate selected for Laharighat, citing concerns about the involvement of individuals with alleged criminal connections and communal tendencies.
THE COUNTERATTACK
Imran Masood, responding to Bordoloi’s allegations, defended his actions and accused Bordoloi of attempting to bring a group of Congress candidates with him to the BJP. Masood claimed Bordoloi’s plan was thwarted when the party became aware of it.
Another member of the screening committee, MP Saptagiri Ulaka, noted Bordoloi’s haste to defect, pointing out that Asif Nazar, the MLA he opposed, had secured over one lakh votes.
Meanwhile, Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed confidence in a BJP victory and predicted that more leaders would join the party, noting the dwindling number of Hindu leaders remaining in the Congress.
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