In a pivotal political development, former Assam Youth Congress president Angkita Dutta is poised to join the Bharatiya Janata Party or BJP, as per reliable sources. Dutta, along with three other prominent leaders, is expected to formalize her entry into the saffron party on January 28.
Joining Dutta in this political transition are former Congress MLA Bismita Gogoi from Khumtai constituency, former All Assam Student Union-AASU president Dipanka Nath and former AASU vice-president Prakash Das.
Simultaneously, sources have revealed that former Congress leader Apurba Kumar Bhattacharjee is slated to join the regional party Asom Gana Parishad or AGP on January 29.
Dutta’s decision to switch sides to the BJP follows a notable incident during Congress MP Rahul Gandhi’s recent Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Assam. On January 18, Dutta, seeking justice and reinstatement within the party, was reportedly snubbed by the Congress leader during the political event.
Her efforts to engage with Gandhi were unsuccessful, sparking a debate on the effectiveness of internal mechanisms within political organizations to address serious allegations and ensure justice.
Dutta’s journey to this juncture has been marked by challenges, including her expulsion from the primary membership of the Congress party for six years in April 2023, following allegations of sexual harassment against Indian Youth Congress president Srinivas BV. Despite her suspension, Dutta remained optimistic that Gandhi’s yatra would provide her with the ‘nyay’ (justice) she wished for.
With Dutta’s impending move to the BJP, accompanied by other significant figures, Assam’s political dynamics are poised for transformation, setting the stage for heightened competition and realignment in the State’s political arena.
