Three suspended Congress MLAs switch to BJP ahead of Assam assembly polls

Guwahati: Just a month ahead of assembly polls in Assam, three suspended Congress MLAs on Thursday joined ruling BJP.

The three legislators -- Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha, Basant Das and Sashikanta Das -- were formally inducted into the BJP at the party’s state headquarters, 'Atal Bihari Vajpayee Bhawan' in Guwahati, in the presence of state president Dilip Saikia and other senior leaders.

Recently former Pradesh Congress President Bhupen Kumar Borah left Congress and joined BJP.


Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma told mediapersons, “On the joining of three suspended Congress MLAs—Kamalkhya Dey Purkayastha, Basanta Das, and Sashikant Das—in the BJP, he says, "Today, 3 Congress MLAs have joined our party. This is a big day for the BJP. I am sure this reflects the growing popularity of the BJP and the respect people have for Prime Minister Narendra Modi."

Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha said the decision was taken keeping in mind the larger interests of Assam and the country.

He said the three legislators were keen to work in line with the BJP’s policies and contribute to the development and security of the state as well as the nation.

Purkayastha took a dig at Congress, alleging that the party’s politics of appeasement had weakened its organisational strength.

He warned that unless the party revisits its ideological approach, it risks becoming “hollow” in the future.

Sarma declared that seat sharing is almost final with its allies for Assam polls. Sarma stated, “"Last night, we completed our discussions with the Asom Gana Parishad, Bodoland People's Forum, and Rabha Hasong Joutha Sangram Committee. As far as the NDA is concerned, our talks on seat sharing are now complete. However, we will need approval from the Central Parliamentary Board. Therefore, it will take 2-4 days for the formal announcement."