New Delhi

Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday welcomed Pradyut Bordoloi into the Bharatiya Janata Party, saying more leaders from the Indian National Congress are set to join the ruling party ahead of the Assembly elections.

Sarma said leaders such as Navajyoti Talukdar, who recently resigned as the Congress state unit vice president, are expected to join the BJP in Guwahati in the coming days.

“Several leaders will join in the next two to three days. We are finalising our candidate list as well,” the chief minister said, adding that Bordoloi’s entry would strengthen the party. He also indicated that the Assam BJP may recommend Bordoloi’s name to contest the upcoming polls.

Bordoloi, a long-time Congress leader since 1975 and sitting MP from Nagaon, joined the BJP days ahead of the elections. Explaining his decision, he accused the Congress leadership of sidelining him and cited “multiple issues” behind his resignation.

“For me, a ticket was not the main issue. What mattered was self-respect,” Bordoloi said, adding that he chose to leave despite having three years remaining in his Lok Sabha term.

The development comes amid a series of exits from the Congress in Assam, including former state party chief Bhupen Kumar Borah.

Meanwhile, the Congress has fielded Bordoloi’s son from the Margherita Assembly constituency for the upcoming polls.

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The Assam Assembly Elections 2026 for all 126 constituencies will be held in a single phase on April 9, with counting scheduled for May 4. The contest is expected to be between the BJP-led NDA, seeking a third consecutive term, and the Congress, aiming to return to power in the state.