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Assam Congress Exodus: Gogoi's Aide, 100+ Workers Defect to AGP

In a significant pre-election blow to the Congress in Assam, a key associate of state chief Gaurav Gogoi and over 100 party workers joined the Asom Gana Parishad. The defection was led by Kaliabor Youth Congress president Pinku Kalita, who formally joined the AGP in the presence of senior leader and minister Keshab Mahanta. The move is attributed to deep resentment within the local Congress unit over the party's decision to cede the Kaliabor seat to ally Raijor Dal in a seat-sharing arrangement. This exodus is expected to alter the political dynamics in a constituency traditionally considered a Congress stronghold.

Key Points: Congress Workers Join AGP in Assam, Blame Seat-Sharing Deal

  • Major Congress setback in Assam
  • Defection over seat-sharing resentment
  • Kaliabor Youth Congress chief switches sides
  • Move to strengthen AGP's grassroots
  • Political realignment before elections
2 min read

Assam: Gaurav Gogoi's aide, over 100 Congress workers join AGP​

Over 100 Congress workers, including a close aide of Gaurav Gogoi, defect to AGP in Kaliabor, citing resentment over seat-sharing with Raijor Dal.

"the decision to join the AGP was taken in the interest of the people of Kaliabor - Pinku Kalita"

Guwahati, March 26

In a setback to the Congress ahead of the upcoming elections in Assam, a close associate of state Congress chief and Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi, along with over 100 party workers, joined the Asom Gana Parishad in Kaliabor on Thursday. ​

Among those who switched sides was Kaliabor Youth Congress president Pinku Kalita, whose move is being seen as politically significant in the constituency. ​

Kalita, along with a large number of Congress supporters, formally joined the AGP in the presence of senior party leader and Assam Minister Keshab Mahanta. ​

Speaking on the occasion, Mahanta welcomed the new entrants into the party fold and expressed confidence that their inclusion would further strengthen the AGP's grassroots base in Kaliabor. ​

He said that the joining of Congress workers reflects a growing shift in political sentiment in the region. ​

Sources indicated that the leaders and workers decided to leave the Congress after expressing dissatisfaction with the party's decision to cede the Kaliabor constituency to its ally, Raijor Dal, as part of the seat-sharing arrangements. ​

The move reportedly led to resentment among local Congress members, who felt sidelined in the political process. ​

Addressing the gathering, Pinku Kalita said that the decision to join the AGP was taken in the interest of the people of Kaliabor. ​

He alleged that the Congress leadership had ignored the sentiments of its grassroots workers and supporters. ​

Kalita further stated that the AGP, as part of the NDA alliance, is committed to safeguarding Assam's interests and ensuring development across all regions. ​

The development is expected to affect the political dynamics in Kaliabor, a constituency that has traditionally been considered a Congress stronghold. ​

With elections approaching, political realignments and defections continue to shape the electoral landscape in Assam, with parties intensifying efforts to consolidate support on the ground. ​

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Very sad to see this. Congress is losing its core base in Assam. My father was a lifelong Congress supporter, but even he says the party has lost connection with ground reality. Hope they learn from this before it's too late.
A
Aman W
AGP is gaining strength at the right time. If they are truly committed to Assam's development as part of NDA, then this is a positive shift. We need stable leadership, not musical chairs before every election.
S
Sarah B
As an observer, this looks like typical political opportunism. The workers are unhappy about seat-sharing, so they jump ship. Doesn't inspire much confidence in their ideological commitment, does it?
K
Karthik V
Grassroots workers are the backbone of any party. Congress leadership in Delhi needs to understand that Assam is not a pawn in their alliance games. Respect the local sentiment, yaar. This was entirely avoidable.
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Nisha Z
Development should be the focus, not which party symbol is on the ballot. If AGP can deliver better roads, schools, and jobs for Kaliabor, then the shift is justified. Let's see what happens on the ground. 👍

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