Pradyut Bordoloi Resigns from Congress: Major Blow to Party Ahead of Assam Assembly Elections 2026, Likely to Join BJP
In a dramatic political development that has sent shockwaves through Assam’s political landscape, senior Congress leader and two-time Lok Sabha MP from Nagaon, Pradyut Bordoloi, officially resigned from the Indian National Congress on March 17, 2026. The resignation, submitted to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, comes at a highly critical juncture—just weeks before the Assam Assembly elections scheduled for April 2026—further weakening the already beleaguered state unit of the Congress party.
Pradyut Bordoloi‘s exit marks yet another high-profile departure from the Congress in Assam, following the recent switch of former Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Bhupen Kumar Borah to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Political analysts view this as a significant setback for the opposition Congress, which has been struggling with internal discord, leadership issues, and a series of defections in recent months.
The Resignation Letter: Overwhelming Sadness
In his concise yet poignant resignation letter dated March 17, 2026, Pradyut Bordoloi wrote: “With an overwhelming sense of sadness today, I hereby tender my resignation from all posts, privileges and the primary membership of the Indian National Congress.”
The brief three-line communication to AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge underscores the emotional turmoil Pradyut Bordoloi has endured. Sources close to the MP revealed that he had been grappling with mounting frustrations within the party for the past one to two years, feeling sidelined, humiliated, and unsupported by the state leadership.
In a media interaction on the night of his resignation, Pradyut Bordoloi elaborated on his decision, stating, “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. 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.”
This statement highlights deep-seated grievances, including alleged constant insults and a lack of support from the party hierarchy, particularly the Assam unit led by APCC president Gaurav Gogoi.
Political Background of Pradyut Bordoloi
Pradyut Bordoloi, born on April 28, 1959, is a seasoned politician with a long association with the Congress. A former cabinet minister in the Tarun Gogoi-led governments in Assam, he has held multiple portfolios and was once seen as a potential successor to Gogoi for the chief ministerial post.
He was first elected to the Lok Sabha from the Nagaon constituency in 2019, defeating BJP’s Rajen Gohain, and successfully retained the seat in 2024. As a sitting MP, Pradyut Bordoloi serves on the Department-related Standing Committee on Science, Technology, Environment, Forest and Climate Change. He is also a member of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee for Petroleum and Natural Gas.
His influence in central Assam, particularly in Nagaon district, has been substantial, making his resignation a major loss for the Congress in a key region.
The Trigger: Internal Rift Over Asif Mohammad Nazar’s Candidature
The immediate catalyst for Pradyut Bordoloi‘s resignation appears to be the Congress leadership’s decision to renominate sitting MLA Asif Mohammad Nazar from the Lahorighat Assembly constituency, despite serious objections raised by Bordoloi.
In a letter addressed to AICC in-charge for Assam, Jitendra Singh, Pradyut Bordoloi expressed deep “pain and anguish” over the party’s alleged inaction on his concerns regarding Nazar’s candidature for the upcoming Assembly elections.
Pradyut Bordoloi referred to a suo motu probe initiated by Assam Police in Nagaon district following a violent incident in April 2025 at Doomdoomia in Dhing. The investigation led to the arrest and charge-sheeting of Emdadul Islam, whom Bordoloi identified as a close associate of Nazar.
According to Bordoloi, Islam was part of a group of around twenty armed individuals who allegedly attacked him and another Congress leader, Sibamoni Bora. Despite these serious allegations, Nazar reportedly gave Islam a “hero’s welcome” upon his release on bail and even arranged a felicitation involving APCC president Gaurav Gogoi.
Bordoloi alleged that the state leadership, including Gaurav Gogoi, ignored his briefings on the matter and continued to support Nazar’s renomination. Even interventions from the central Congress leadership failed to resolve the impasse, prompting Bordoloi to take the extreme step of resignation.
This controversy underscores the factionalism within the Assam Congress, where local rivalries and allegations of criminal associations have eroded internal cohesion.
Speculations of Joining BJP: Offer from Himanta Biswa Sarma
Almost immediately after the resignation, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma extended a public invitation to Pradyut Bordoloi to join the BJP. Sarma stated that the BJP would accord Bordoloi the same respect it gave to Bhupen Borah and assured him a chance to contest the Assembly elections from any constituency of his choice.
Sarma remarked that Bordoloi “might not find it necessary to remain in the Congress,” hinting at prior predictions he had made about Bordoloi’s eventual exit.
Pradyut Bordoloi himself indicated in media appearances that he was in discussions with his family about moving to the BJP, as the party had agreed to give him an opportunity to contest the Assembly polls this term. While he did not disclose the specific seat, speculations are rife that he might be fielded from the high-profile Dispur constituency, currently held by BJP’s Atul Bora.
Dispur, being the seat encompassing the state capital Guwahati, is one of the most prestigious and politically significant constituencies in Assam. A switch by Bordoloi could reshape the electoral dynamics in the urban belt.
Impact on Family: Prateek Bordoloi’s Future
Adding complexity to the situation is the political future of Pradyut Bordoloi‘s son, Prateek Bordoloi. Prateek has already been named as the Congress candidate from the Margherita Assembly constituency for the upcoming elections.
However, Pradyut Bordoloi did not mention his son’s position in his public statements following the resignation. Prateek has maintained a low profile since the reports of his father’s potential shift surfaced, with no public appearances or comments on the matter.
It remains unclear whether Prateek will continue with the Congress ticket or if family dynamics will influence a collective move. This uncertainty adds another layer of intrigue to the unfolding political drama.
Broader Implications for Assam Politics
Pradyut Bordoloi‘s resignation is the latest in a string of setbacks for the Congress in Assam. The party, which once dominated the state’s politics, has seen its influence diminish under the BJP’s strong governance led by Himanta Biswa Sarma.
The timing—barely weeks before the Assembly polls—could demoralize Congress workers and voters, particularly in central Assam. It also bolsters the BJP’s narrative of being a welcoming home for disgruntled Congress leaders, as seen with previous switches like Bhupen Borah.
For the BJP, securing Pradyut Bordoloi would be a major coup, potentially weakening Congress’s hold in Nagaon and boosting its prospects in Guwahati if he contests from Dispur.
Meanwhile, APCC president Gaurav Gogoi has responded by attributing the developments to BJP’s poaching tactics, stating that the Chief Minister is actively working to destabilize the opposition.
As Assam heads into a crucial electoral battle, Pradyut Bordoloi‘s move could prove to be a turning point, influencing voter sentiments and alliance strategies across parties.
This story is developing, and updates on Pradyut Bordoloi‘s next steps, including any formal joining of the BJP, are eagerly awaited. Stay tuned for more exclusive coverage on this major political shift in Assam.
