The resignation spree continues in Congress as its MLA Bharat Chandra Narah quit his position as the chairman of the party’s media cell. This decision closely follows the denial of a party ticket to his wife, former Union Minister Ranee Narah, for the Lakhimpur Lok Sabha constituency.
In another significant development, former Congress leader and MP Naveen Jindal have declared to quit from the Congress party. Jindal, a seasoned politician announced his decision to part ways with the Congress and join the Bharatiya Janata Party or BJP.
The Congress has nominated Uday Shankar Hazarika for the Lakhimpur seat, prompting this notable resignation from Chandra Narah.
“I do hereby tender my resignation from my position as chairman of the Media Department, Assam PCC, effective immediately,” Narah wrote in the one-line resignation letter sent to the party’s State unit president Bhupen Kumar Borah.
A few months ago, Ranee Narah and Hazarika had quit the ruling BJP to join the Congress. Party sources mentioned they were reportedly in close contention for nomination from Lakhimpur.
Uday Shankar Hazarika, who enjoys strong support from the State Congress chief despite being a new face in the party, is in a straight fight with BJP candidate Pradan Baruah, who is seeking a third successive term in the constituency.
While, Ranee Narah is a three-time MP from Lakhimpur and has served one term in the Rajya Sabha.
The Congress candidate for Lakhimpur was announced on Saturday, while the party nominees for 12 other seats in the State were declared on March 12.
Of the 14 Lok Sabha seats in Assam, the Congress is contesting in 13 and backing the Assam Jaitya Parishad (AJP) nominee in one constituency.
Both the Congress and AJP are members of a 16-party United Opposition Forum Assam or UOFA, which was formed to fight the Lok Sabha elections together.
The Congress has three MPs from the State in the outgoing Lok Sabha, while the BJP has nine and one each is held by the AIUDF and an Independent.
Furthermore, Assam’s Chief Minister, Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, has stirred speculation regarding the potential defection of Congress leader and APCC President Bhupen Borah to the BJP. Speaking to reporters, CM Himanta remarked, “Ask me when Bhupen Borah will join the BJP? He could join at any moment. I have my reasons for saying so. His joining is imminent.”
