Ahead of the Assam Assembly elections, several politicians who switched parties hoping for electoral tickets have been left out of candidate lists, underscoring a growing risk for last‑minute defectors. Parties in key constituencies rejected recent entrants and instead stuck with familiar names, signaling tighter internal calculations as nominations progress and alliances take shape.
One high‑profile example is Basanta Das, the sitting MLA from Mangaldai, who quit the Indian National Congress and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party, publicly praising Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Despite the switch, the BJP denied him a ticket and re‑nominated Nilima Devi for the constituency.
A similar outcome unfolded in Mandia with Sherman Ali Ahmed. After leaving Congress to join Raijor Dal — now allied with the Congress — Ahmed did not secure a nomination. The Congress chose Abdul Khaleque for the seat instead.
These decisions reflect party calculations that often favor long‑standing loyalists over recent entrants. Denying tickets to defectors can be a way to manage dissent within party ranks, where grassroots workers frequently resist “parachute” candidates — outsiders parachuted into a constituency without local backing.
The developments highlight that switching parties does not guarantee electoral opportunity. With nominations underway and coalition deals being finalised, political survival increasingly depends on internal party support and timing rather than only on public defections.
For voters and political observers, the trend is a reminder that defections close to elections carry significant risks: not every defector finds a seat, and many are left sidelined as parties prioritise stability and local organisation over high‑profile conversions.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/assam/story/turncoat-mlas-left-in-the-lurch-basanta-das-sherman-ali-denied-tickets-after-party-switch-1362915-2026-03-20?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2026-03-20 22:52:00
