GUWAHATI — The Assam Congress is in a state of freefall after sitting Lok Sabha MP Pradyut Bordoloi officially joined the BJP in New Delhi on Wednesday. His exit follows weeks of internal friction and comes less than a month after former state chief Bhupen Borah also crossed over to the ruling party.

The "Humiliation" Trigger

Bordoloi, a veteran of five decades, cited deep-seated "humiliation" and a lack of self-respect as his reasons for leaving:

• The Conflict: The breaking point was the re-nomination of Lahorighat MLA Asif Mohammad Nazar, whom Bordoloi accused of protecting an individual involved in a 2025 attack on him.
• The Snub: Bordoloi claims his concerns were ignored during a screening committee meeting led by Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and state chief Gaurav Gogoi.
• The Sacrifice: By joining the BJP, Bordoloi forfeits three remaining years of his Lok Sabha term to contest the upcoming Assembly elections.

Priyanka Gandhi’s Response

As Chairperson of the Screening Committee, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra termed the resignation "unfortunate," suggesting it was a reaction to a single ticket dispute. However, BJP leaders, including CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, have framed the exit as a sign of "total no-confidence" in the Gandhi-Gogoi leadership.

Poll Impact

With the single-phase Assembly elections set for April 9, 2026, the loss of Bordoloi—who also headed the party's manifesto committee—leaves the Congress struggling to find a coherent message against a resurgent BJP.