Assam: Congress leader Rana Goswami resigns, likely to join BJP

Assam Pradesh Congress Committee's working president Rana Goswami resigned from the party on Wednesday and is likely to join BJP. He had earlier resigned as Congress in-charge of upper Assam, citing "various political reasons". In his letter to party general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal, he added: "I am tendering my resignation...as an active member of Indian National Congress."

Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said Goswami is a strong leader from Jorhat and the party will welcome him if he takes any such decision. Goswami was a close associate of former CM Tarun Gogoi. He was elected to the assembly in 2006 and 2011 from Jorhat.

As the Lok Sabha polls draw near, exodus from Assam Congress has increased. Several leaders such as Shankar Prasad Rai, Ratul Kurmi, Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha, Basanta Das have quit the party for various reasons. Congress also suspended South Karimganj MLA Siddique Ahmed for cross-voting in Rajya Sabha elections.


APCC President Bhupen Kumar Borah said: "As Trinamool and AAP have declared their candidates for parliamentary polls, Congress will also announce its candidates."