“Congress won’t even qualify as Opposition this time”: Ex Congress MLA predicts major rout in Assam

In a significant political development in Assam, suspended Congress MLAs Sashi Kanta Das and Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha have announced that they will formally join the Bharatiya Janata Party on March 5, signalling yet another setback for the state unit of the Indian National Congress.

Speaking ahead of his induction, Sashi Kanta Das described the move as a “historic moment” in his political career and confirmed that he would be present at the BJP’s state office for the formal joining ceremony. He also targeted Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi over the alleged Pakistan link controversy, claiming that the issue would have a definite electoral impact in the state. According to Das, the Congress is unlikely to even secure the numbers required to qualify as the principal opposition party in the upcoming political scenario.

Meanwhile, Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha stated that the timing of their induction was strategically decided by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, particularly in view of the Rajya Sabha elections and related political considerations. He said the joining ceremony has been scheduled for 8 am and affirmed his commitment to work “as a soldier of the BJP” for the party’s organisational and electoral objectives.

The back-to-back defections are expected to further consolidate the BJP’s legislative strength in Assam while deepening the internal crisis within the Congress ahead of crucial electoral contests.