Assam Congress President Gaurav Gogoi Condemns Pradyut Bordoloi's Resignation as Self-Serving Act
In a significant development, Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi has publicly criticized the resignation of Nagaon MP Pradyut Bordoloi, labeling it as a decision driven solely by personal motives rather than the interests of the party. Speaking after his arrival from New Delhi, Gogoi expressed disappointment over Bordoloi's move, emphasizing that the Congress party had extended substantial support to both Bordoloi and his family in recent elections.
Gogoi Details Party Support Amidst Resignation Fallout
Gaurav Gogoi, while traveling from Dibrugarh Airport to his Jorhat constituency, described Bordoloi's resignation as unfortunate but insisted it was a personal choice. He revealed that Congress had not only granted Pradyut Bordoloi a Lok Sabha ticket for the 2024 general elections but also allocated an assembly election ticket to his son, Prateek Bordoloi, for the Margherita seat. "We all have accepted Bordoloi's decision as unfortunate. His decision was his personal decision," Gogoi stated, underscoring the party's stance.
Political Implications and Election Dynamics
Gogoi highlighted the critical nature of the upcoming assembly elections in Assam, asserting that this poll will determine the state's future. He pointedly remarked, "The main issue of the election is that the people of Assam do not want Himanta Biswa Sarma as chief minister again. Now, if Pradyut Bordoloi wants to see Himanta Biswa Sarma as chief minister again, it is his own decision," taking a direct jab at Bordoloi, who officially joined the BJP in New Delhi on Wednesday.
Bordoloi's Allegations and Party Internal Conflicts
Pradyut Bordoloi, in his resignation, accused the Congress leadership of sidelining him and specifically targeted Gaurav Gogoi for allegedly supporting sitting MLA Asif Nazar from Laharighat. Bordoloi claimed that Nazar was involved in an attack on him during last year's panchayat elections. Additionally, he alleged that Saharanpur MP Imran Masood, a member of the Congress screening committee for Assam elections, backed Nazar's candidacy, further fueling internal discord.
Uncertainty Surrounding Prateek Bordoloi's Candidacy
With Prateek Bordoloi rushing to New Delhi to meet his father, his political future hangs in the balance. Gaurav Gogoi expressed sympathy for Prateek, a youth leader and co-chairman of the social media department of Assam PCC, who was nominated for the Margherita seat previously held by his father. "Prateek Bordoloi never imagined that he would face such a situation. My sympathy and moral support are with him," Gogoi said, adding that he will discuss Prateek's decision and await the Central Election Committee's meeting outcome regarding the seat.
Congress's Strategic Moves and Alliance Talks
Gogoi disclosed that he visited Pradyut Bordoloi's residence in New Delhi along with party Assam in-charge Jitendra Singh in an unsuccessful attempt to persuade him to stay. He has since returned after offering suggestions to the All India Congress Committee (AICC), leaving the final decision on candidate seats to the CEC. Furthermore, Gogoi mentioned ongoing efforts to include the Raijor Dal, led by Akhil Gogoi, in the Congress-led alliance, though seat-sharing disagreements have previously hindered this.
Currently, a five-party opposition alliance comprising Congress, Assam Jatiya Parishad, All Party Hill Leaders Conference, CPM, and CPI-ML (Liberation) is finalized. The Congress may release a third list of candidates soon, as the CEC convenes a crucial meeting amid the deepening crisis in the Assam unit following Bordoloi's defection to the BJP.
