Assam BJP MLA Nihar Ranjan Das resigns after ticket snub, alleges favouritism in party

Dholai MLA Nihar Ranjan Das on Thursday, March 19 resigned from the primary membership of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), citing denial of party ticket and alleged lack of recognition for his work.

In a formal resignation letter addressed to the Assam Pradesh BJP president, Das stated that he had served the party “honestly and most sincerely” and had worked to strengthen its image among the people of the Dholai Legislative Assembly Constituency within a short span of time. However, he expressed disappointment that the party leadership had “not recognised” his efforts and deprived him of a ticket for the forthcoming elections.

“I therefore request you to accept my resignation from the primary membership of BJP and relieve me from all types of responsibility,” Das wrote in his letter.

Escalating his criticism, the legislator made a controversial allegation, claiming that his exclusion from the party’s candidate list was linked to internal favouritism. In a sharp remark, Das said he could not “offer rasgullas” to senior party leader Parimal Suklabaidya, suggesting that those who extend such gestures receive political backing.

The statement has triggered a fresh debate within political circles in Assam, with opposition parties likely to seize on the allegation to question transparency in ticket distribution.

Despite quitting the BJP, Das made it clear that he intends to remain politically active and will contest the upcoming elections. However, he stopped short of revealing whether he would join another political party or enter the fray as an independent candidate.