Three former MLAs, Satyabrat Kalita, Binanda Kumar Saikia, and Dr. Manas Singh Rongpi, join the Indian National Congress in the presence of Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal, Deputy Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi and others, in New Delhi on September 8, 2025. Photo: AICC via ANI
Three former legislators from Assam, including two from the BJP and one from its ally, Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), joined the Congress on Monday (September 8, 2025) in the presence of general secretary (organisation) K.C. Venugopal.
Former BJP MLAs Binanda Saikia and Dr. Mansingh Rongpi and AGP MLA Satyabrata Kalita were inducted into the party in the presence of senior leaders, including Assam Congress chief Gaurav Gogoi.
Both Mr. Saikia and Mr. Rongpi were in the Congress before they switched over the BJP.
The Congress described their return as a significant development before the 2026 Assembly elections in Assam.
“The people of Assam are yearning for change from the most corrupt rule of the Himanta Biswa Sharma Pvt. Ltd. Rampant corruption & loot of public resources, combined with BJP’s divisive governance, have been the highlight of this Company rule,” Mr. Venugopal said in a post on X.
“The people will wholeheartedly support Congress in the upcoming Assembly elections to restore pro-people governance based on the values of honesty, unity & justice,” he added.
Published – September 09, 2025 03:11 am IST
