Defection Drama in Assam Assembly; Congress Members Stage Walkout

The Congress staged a walkout from the Assam Legislative Assembly, protesting the Speaker’s inaction against party legislators who recently defected to the Raijor Dal.

The opposition party had demanded strict action against two of its MLAs who joined the Akhil Gogoi-led outfit, as well as disciplinary measures against other suspended legislators accused of anti-party activities. When no immediate steps were taken by the Speaker, Congress members exited the House in protest.

Leader of the Opposition Debabrata Saikia sharply criticised the defections and took a swipe at Raijor Dal chief Akhil Gogoi, saying, “There is no use increasing strength by taking someone else’s blood. What will temporary strength for two months achieve? If possible, generate your own strength.”

Two Congress MLAs Join Raijor Dal

The political tension escalated after suspended Congress MLA Sherman Ali Ahmed formally joined the Raijor Dal on Tuesday, becoming the second legislator from the state’s principal opposition party to switch sides within two days.

A three-time MLA from Baghbor, Ahmed was welcomed into the party fold by Gogoi and other senior leaders at a programme held in Kalgachia, located in Barpeta. Addressing supporters, he announced plans to seek nomination from the Mandia constituency in the next Assembly elections—the first to be held in Assam after delimitation.

Earlier, another three-time Congress MLA, Abdur Rashid Mandal, had joined the Raijor Dal on Monday, further intensifying the crisis within the party.

Political Fallout in Congress

The defections unfolded amid deepening internal turmoil within the Assam Congress following the resignation of former state party president Bhupen Kumar Borah. Although the party high command declined to accept his resignation, Borah later sought time to reconsider his decision, adding to the uncertainty within the state unit.

The political developments took a dramatic turn the following day when Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited Borah’s residence in Guwahati and held a meeting that lasted nearly one hour and 25 minutes.

After the meeting, Sarma, addressing the media while seated alongside Borah, announced that the former Congress leader would formally join the Bharatiya Janata Party on February 22 in Guwahati.

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