Guwahati, March 18: The Congress in Assam has suffered a double setback ahead of the Assembly elections, with senior leader and Nagaon MP Pradyut Bordoloi resigning from the party—weeks after former state president Bhupen Kumar Borah stepped down, exposing deepening cracks within the organisation.

In his resignation letter addressed to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge Bordoloi wrote, “With an overwhelming sense of sadness, I hereby tender my resignation from all posts, privileges and the primary membership of the Indian National Congress.”

Bordoloi’s exit, after nearly three decades in the party, comes amid growing internal discord over candidate selection and allegations of being sidelined by the leadership.

Why Bordoloi Resigned

The immediate trigger for his resignation was a sharp disagreement over the likely renomination of Lahorighat MLA Asif Mohammad Nazar for the upcoming Assembly elections.

In a strongly worded letter to AICC general secretary in charge of Assam, Jitendra Singh, Bordoloi had warned he would quit if Nazar was re-nominated. He alleged that the party failed to act on serious concerns he raised.

The Nagaon MP referred to a police investigation involving Emdadul Islam—whom he described as a close associate of Nazar—who was arrested and charge-sheeted in connection with an alleged attack on Bordoloi and his associate Sibamoni Bora in April 2025 at Dumdumia in Dhing.

Bordoloi further alleged that after securing bail, the accused received a public welcome and was later felicitated at party-linked events. He said he had submitted evidence to the central leadership and opposed Nazar’s candidature in key meetings, but his concerns were dismissed.

He also expressed disappointment over the silence of senior leaders during internal discussions, saying he felt increasingly isolated within the party.

‘Felt Insulted, Isolated’

Speaking to reporters after resigning, Bordoloi said the decision was painful but unavoidable.

“Today, I have abandoned one of the most important principles of my life, and I am not happy with it. However, I made this decision because I was being insulted on many issues by anyone who approached me from within the Congress Party, especially in the Assam Congress,” he said.

“Even the Congress leadership was not showing sympathy towards me. I have become very lonely because I have been associated with the Congress all my life. But of late, I have been having a lot of difficulty surviving, so I have to make this decision,” he added.

BJP Option Open

The move followed soon after Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s open invitation to Bordoloi to join the BJP. Sarma had stated that Bordoloi would be accorded due respect within the party, similar to that extended to Bhupen Kumar Borah.

Sources indicate that Bordoloi may join the BJP and could be fielded from the high-profile Dispur constituency, though there has been no official confirmation.

Mounting Pressure on Congress

Bordoloi’s resignation comes close on the heels of Bhupen Kumar Borah’s exit in February, which had already triggered speculation of political realignments after his meeting with the Chief Minister.

With back-to-back exits of senior leaders and rising internal tensions, the Congress faces mounting challenges in Assam as it heads into a high-stakes Assembly election.