Assam: Thowra MLA Sushanta Borgohain resigns from Congress, likely to join BJP
According to sources, Borgohain will likely join the BJP on August 2 in the presence of Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and BJP state president Bhabesh Kalita.
By Avik Chakraborty
DIBRUGARH:
In a major setback to the Assam Congress party, two-time Congress MLA from Thowra constituency Sushanta Borgohain on Friday resigned from the party.
Sources informed that Sushanta Borgohain is in close contact with some of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders in a bid to join the party.
According to sources, Borgohain will likely join the BJP on August 2 in the presence of Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and BJP state president Bhabesh Kalita.
Notably, Mariani Congress MLA Rupjyoti Kurmi shifted to the BJP camp after Himanta Biswa Sarma took over as the Chief Minister of Assam, and many others planning to do the same.
"Many Congress leaders who are in close touch with Himanta Biswa Sarma are planning to switch to the Saffron brigade," sources close to the development informed.
Borgohain in his resignation letter addressed to state Congress president Bhupen Borah, has blamed the present "internal political atmosphere" in the party that forced him to take the decision.
He said that the prevailing situation inflicting the Assam Congress compelled him to take the "painful" decision, despite his efforts to help the party remain relevant in the state.
Borgohain will also resign from his membership in the Assam Legislative Assembly, and tender his resignation letter to Assam Assembly Speaker Biswajit Daimary on Saturday.
"Unfortunately, all the efforts in this direction prove futile, compelling me to take this ultimate decision and the exact reasons for such a painful move on my part have already been conveyed to the senior leadership of the party both in the state and at the centre," Borgohain wrote in his letter to the Assam Congress president.
Borgohain is the second Assam MLA from the Congress to quit the party since Himanta Biswa Sarma-led BJP government took charge in the state.
In the recently concluded assembly election, Borgohain defeated Kushal Dowari by 2049 votes. Borgohain secured 47,949 votes, while BJP candidate Dowari secured 45,900.
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