Congress Leaders Respond to Pradyut Bordoloi's Resignation Ahead of Elections
Political Turmoil in Assam Congress
Guwahati, March 18: Leaders from the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) have rallied together to address the recent resignation of prominent member Pradyut Bordoloi. They have dismissed rumors and questioned the timing of his departure, which comes just weeks before the Assembly elections.
Jitendra Singh, a senior figure in Congress, attempted to minimize the situation, claiming that the media and social networks were amplifying unfounded speculations.
“Pradyut Bordoloi is a respected parliamentary leader within our party. Our recent meeting was casual, and there’s no need to interpret it politically. I strongly denounce the rumors circulating. His commitment to Congress is unwavering, and he has not formally resigned as suggested,” Singh stated, despite the emergence of Bordoloi's resignation letter addressed to AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge.
In his resignation letter, Bordoloi expressed his decision was made with a heavy heart, stating he felt “stifled” within the party for the past couple of years.
Gaurav Gogoi, Deputy Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha, reacted strongly, accusing the ruling party of trying to manipulate the situation.
“The narrative surrounding Pradyut Bordoloi is not genuine. The Chief Minister has been actively trying to undermine him. This is part of a broader strategy to destabilize Congress ahead of the elections,” Gogoi remarked.
Congress spokesperson Mira Borthakur also challenged the motives behind Bordoloi’s resignation, suggesting it was part of a long-term political strategy.
“With elections just around the corner, bringing up internal disputes now is both suspicious and regrettable. If there were issues, they should have been resolved internally. Congress is not about any single individual,” she asserted.
Borthakur further claimed that Bordoloi had been in contact with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for over a year, implying a premeditated decision.
“This is not a sudden ideological shift. These actions indicate a calculated political maneuver for personal benefit. The people of Assam are observant and will not overlook this breach of trust with party members,” she added.
She criticized the BJP for lacking strong leadership, alleging that they were attempting to recruit Congress leaders to bolster their electoral chances.
“If the BJP had capable leaders, they wouldn’t need to draw from Congress. This clearly highlights their internal weaknesses,” Borthakur stated, expressing confidence in Congress's readiness for the upcoming elections.
Earlier, Bordoloi had defended his choice, indicating it was a difficult one.
“This is a distressing decision, and I am not pleased about it. However, the circumstances I have encountered within Congress over the last couple of years have left me with no choice,” he explained, adding that he would consult his family before deciding on joining another party.
His comments came after Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma suggested that the BJP would be willing to “accommodate” Bordoloi in the forthcoming Assembly elections.