Suspended Congress MLAs Sashi Kanta Das and Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha announced they will formally join the Bharatiya Janata Party on March 5, when both are due to attend a joining ceremony at the BJP’s Assam state office — a development their critics say marks another setback for the state unit of the Indian National Congress.
Speaking ahead of the induction, Sashi Kanta Das called the move a “historic moment” in his political career and confirmed he would be present for the formal ceremony. He also attacked Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi over an alleged Pakistan-link controversy, saying the issue would have a definite electoral impact and asserting that the Congress is unlikely to secure the numbers required to remain the principal opposition.
Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha said the timing of their induction was strategically arranged by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, particularly with the Rajya Sabha elections and related political considerations in mind. He said the ceremony has been scheduled for 8 am and pledged 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. Party sources and the timing indicated by the leaders suggest the move may also be aimed at altering local electoral arithmetic ahead of upcoming polls.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/assam/video/congress-wont-even-qualify-as-opposition-this-time-ex-congress-mla-predicts-major-rout-in-assam-1354947-2026-03-05?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2026-03-05 08:41:00
