Assam: Two Congress MLAs, including suspended legislator, set to join Raijor Dal; Debabrata Saikia reacts

Two Congress MLAs, including a suspended legislator, are set to cross over to the regional party Raijor Dal, signalling fresh realignments ahead of a high-stakes electoral battle.

Senior Congress leader and West Goalpara MLA Abdur Rashid Mandal is expected to formally join Raijor Dal on Monday, February 16 at a programme scheduled to be held in Guwahati at 3 pm. His decision to quit the Congress comes amid growing uncertainty over ticket distribution and internal churn within the party as preparations intensify for the 2026 polls.

Following him, suspended Congress MLA from Baghbar constituency Sherman Ali Ahmed will join Raijor Dal on Tuesday. His induction will take place at Bamuntari in Kalgachia, marking yet another setback for the Congress in lower Assam.

Confirming the development, Raijor Dal president and Sivasagar MLA Akhil Gogoi told reporters that both Mandal and Ahmed would be formally welcomed into the party on separate occasions. “West Goalpara MLA Abdur Rashid Mandal will join Raijor Dal at 3 pm tomorrow. On Tuesday, Baghbar MLA Sherman Ali Ahmed will also join the party,” Gogoi stated.

Reacting cautiously to the development, senior Congress leader Debabrata Saikia said he had been informed of the move but was awaiting official communication from the party leadership. “Somebody just told me, though I am not personally aware of the development. I have alerted party leaders and members and will wait for directions,” he said.

Referring to Sherman Ali Ahmed's joining Raijor Dal, Saikia noted that the Congress had earlier directed him to seek forgiveness over his controversial statements demanding a Miya museum, which had triggered widespread debate and backlash across the state. Urging restraint, Saikia remarked that Raijor Dal should carefully consider the responsibilities entrusted to individuals who had previously sparked public controversy.