Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on March 24 accepted the resignation of Assam MP Pradyut Bordoloi, days after the two-term parliamentarian left the Congress and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the state Assembly elections.
According to an official communication, the resignation has been accepted with effect from March 20. Bordoloi had resigned from the Congress on March 17 and formally joined the BJP the next day, marking a notable political shift in Assam’s run-up to the elections.
The BJP swiftly fielded Bordoloi from the high-profile Dispur constituency, naming him in its first list of 88 candidates. Dispur, home to the state’s administrative headquarters, is expected to witness a closely watched contest.
Responding to his candidature, Bordoloi thanked the BJP leadership and said he had not sought any position while joining the party. He said his decision was driven by the desire to take on a more meaningful role in public life.
“I did not ask anything from the BJP when I decided to join… what I needed was a platform to work and play a more meaningful role,” he told reporters.
Highlighting his political experience, Bordoloi said he has served as an MLA four times and held ministerial positions for nearly 15 years under the Tarun Gogoi-led Congress government in Assam. He later represented the Nagaon constituency in the Lok Sabha for two consecutive terms.
He also indicated his willingness to work with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, recalling their earlier association in government. Bordoloi described that phase as effective in driving development and tackling insurgency-related issues, and said he would welcome the opportunity to collaborate again.
On his prospects in Dispur, he said he would approach voters “with a lot of humility” and seek their support as a BJP candidate. He added that job creation and improving living standards would be central to his campaign, while also backing the state government’s development agenda.
Polling for all 126 Assembly constituencies in Assam is scheduled in a single phase on April 9, with counting set for May 4, as per the Election Commission of India. The BJP has also indicated its intent to retain key strongholds, with Himanta Biswa Sarma set to contest from Jalukbari.
