Pradyut Bordoloi Joins BJP, Citing Dignity and Purpose in Political Shift
Guwahati, March 21: Former MP Pradyut Bordoloi, who recently joined the BJP, expressed his grievances with the Congress leadership during a press conference, stating that his departure was motivated by a desire to work with 'dignity and purpose.'
Bordoloi traced his discontent to internal party dynamics that emerged after the 2022 Congress presidential election.
He revealed that he, along with five other MPs, had reached out to the party's election authority advocating for a more organized structure and had supported Shashi Tharoor's candidacy.
“After Mallikarjun Kharge's election, I began to feel increasingly sidelined,” he remarked, noting his removal from the Northeast Congress Coordination Committee and exclusion from significant organizational roles.
He highlighted that many of his juniors were promoted to screening committees and the Congress Working Committee, while his own status remained ambiguous.
Despite acknowledging that such occurrences are common in politics, Bordoloi felt a growing sense of exclusion.
Discussing his relationship with the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC), he mentioned his initial support for Gaurav Gogoi's leadership, aiming to unify efforts for the 2026 Assembly elections. However, he felt 'mistrusted and overlooked.'
A pivotal moment for Bordoloi occurred during the 2025 panchayat election campaign while he was serving as MP from Nagaon.
He recounted a 'life-threatening attack' and claimed that police investigations led to the arrest of a suspect connected to Lahorighat MLA Asif Mohammad Nazar.
“When I presented evidence and a chargesheet, my concerns were disregarded, and I faced humiliation instead,” he stated.
Bordoloi further alleged that during a central election committee meeting with senior leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, his concerns were dismissed as 'false and imaginary,' suggesting he was motivated by personal grievances.
“That was incredibly humiliating. It was at that moment I resolved to resign,” he added.
Upon announcing his decision to join the BJP, Bordoloi mentioned that he had previously turned down offers from the party but accepted this time after discussions with senior leaders, including the Chief Minister.
“I had no preconditions for joining. I simply wanted a conducive environment to work for Assam. In the past two days, I have felt welcomed and supported,” he remarked.
Stressing that he was not seeking sympathy or attacking his former party, Bordoloi described the 2025 incident as 'the last straw' in a series of unresolved issues.
He acknowledged Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge as a 'large-hearted leader,' asserting that there was 'nothing personal' against him.
Reflecting on his political journey, Bordoloi recalled his collaboration with former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and his tenure as Home and Power Minister during tumultuous times, emphasizing his contributions to stabilization and development in the state.
“I have always prioritized Assam's development, whether in government or Parliament,” he concluded.
In response to criticism from Congress leaders following his departure, Bordoloi described their reactions as 'natural and inevitable,' reiterating that his decision was driven by the need to continue his work with dignity.