In a blow to the Congress before the upcoming Assam elections, a key aide of state Congress chief Gaurav Gogoi, along with more than 100 party members, switched allegiance to the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) in Kaliabor. Among the defectors is Pinku Kalita, the Youth Congress president in Kaliabor, whose move holds political significance in the region.
Kalita, accompanied by a significant number of Congress supporters, officially joined AGP under the supervision of senior party leader and Assam Minister Keshab Mahanta. Mahanta, while addressing the gathering, welcomed the new members and expressed optimism that their inclusion would bolster AGP’s grassroots presence in Kaliabor, reflecting a shifting political sentiment in the area.
The decision to defect from Congress stemmed from discontent among leaders and workers over the party’s choice to relinquish the Kaliabor constituency to its ally, Raijor Dal, as part of a seat-sharing agreement. This move caused dissatisfaction among local Congress members, who felt marginalized in the political landscape. Pinku Kalita emphasized that joining AGP was in the best interest of Kaliabor’s residents, citing the Congress leadership’s neglect of grassroots workers and supporters.
Kalita highlighted AGP’s commitment, as part of the NDA alliance, to safeguard Assam’s interests and promote development across all regions. This development is poised to impact the political dynamics in Kaliabor, historically a stronghold for the Congress, as parties gear up for the elections, witnessing ongoing realignments and defections to consolidate support on the ground.
