Three former Assam MLAs join Congress, criticize BJP government

Guwahati: Three former Assam MLAs, two from BJP and one from NDA ally Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), joined Congress at the party headquarters, Indira Bhawan, in New Delhi on Monday.Former Kamalpur MLA Satyabrata Kalita, who resigned from the post of AGP general secretary last week, had accused AGP president Atul Borah of working under BJP’s influence and joined Congress after his resignation.Former BJP MLAs Binanda Saikia and Mansing Rongpi also joined Congress in the same programme, which was attended by AICC general Secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal, AICC general secretary in charge of Assam Jitendra Singh, and Assam PCC president Gaurav Gogoi.“The BJP govt in Assam no longer works for the common people, the working class, small traders, labourers, and farmers. Instead, chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his govt are working only for the benefit of him and his family,” alleged Gaurav Gogoi, who welcomed the three leaders to Congress.Gogoi said Assam is currently being run in the name of “Himanta Biswa Sarma & Private Company.” He alleged that instead of working for the welfare of the people, BJP ministers and leaders are compelled to follow the directives of “Himanta Biswa Sarma & Private Company.”Kalita was seeking candidature from Kamalpur constituency, which is currently represented by CM Himanta Biswa Sarma’s close aide Diganta Kalita of BJP.

Kalita was demanding the Kamalpur seat for AGP to contest in the 2026 assembly election.For Saikia, a three-time former MLA from Sipajhar, it’s a homecoming to Congress. Saikia expressed unhappiness at the “communal environment” during BJP's tenure. Monsing Rongpi, former MLA from Baithalangso and former parliamentary secretary, has rejoined Congress, expressing dissatisfaction with BJP’s ideology and policies.Gogoi stated, “This is just the beginning. Before the 2026 assembly elections, several BJP leaders and workers are likely to leave the party and join Congress.”