Assam: Former APCC General Secretary Garjan Mashahary, 14 others switch to UPPL ahead of BTC Polls

Former Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) General Secretary and former Chairman of the BTR Congress Observer Committee, Garjan Mashahary, joined the United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL), an ally of the NDA, along with 14 party associates.

The formal induction took place on Wednesday, September 3 where Mashahary and his supporters were welcomed into the party fold by MLA Lawrence Islary, BTC Executive Member Ranjit Basumatary, and Pratibha Brahma, UPPL candidate from Baokhungri constituency and President of the party’s Women’s Wing.

The move comes at a crucial time with the upcoming BTC elections, signaling a shift in political alignments in the region. Party insiders view Mashahary’s entry as a boost to the UPPL’s organizational strength, especially in constituencies where the Congress has been struggling to retain its foothold.

Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) Secretary Garjan Mashahary resigned from the party on Tuesday, September 2, openly criticizing both state and national leadership for what he termed a lack of vision and failure to connect with grassroots workers.

Announcing his resignation at a press conference in the Kokrajhar Press Club, Mashahary voiced sharp dissatisfaction over the state of affairs within the Congress in Assam. He accused the party leadership of being increasingly distant from ground realities and alleged that internal democracy has eroded within the organization.

“There is no internal democracy left in the party. The leadership is disconnected from ground realities. Under such conditions, it is impossible to serve the people effectively,” Mashahary said.

The former APCC secretary also lashed out at the national leadership, targeting Congress president Rahul Gandhi for “ineffective leadership” and a lack of strategic direction for Assam and the Northeast.