As the political scene heats up in Assam ahead of the 2026 assembly elections, Congress has suffered a major blow with the defection of senior MP Pradyut Bordoloi to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The elections are scheduled for April 9, with results due on May 4, and Bordoloi's move comes as a shock, given his long-standing association with Congress and his previous role as a minister in the state government led by former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced Bordoloi's shift, highlighting that his joining will significantly strengthen the BJP in the state. This shift indicates a strategic realignment in Assam's political landscape just before the elections, raising concerns for Congress about its electoral prospects. Bordoloi had three years left in his term as an MP, making his departure from Congress not just a personal choice but a potential turning point for the party's influence in the region.

The timing of Bordoloi's move, approved by the BJP's national president in Delhi, suggests a well-coordinated strategy by the BJP to consolidate power in Assam. This development could further influence voter sentiment as parties gear up for the polls, making it crucial for Congress to reassess its strategies to retain its voter base in the face of such defections.