Haflong’s sitting MLA Nandita Gorlosa was denied a ticket by the BJP, which fielded Rupali Langthasa from the seat after dropping several sitting legislators.
After being denied a party ticket for next month’s assembly polls, Assam BJP minister Nandita Gorlosa joined the Congress late on Sunday night and would be contesting as its candidate for the Haflong (ST) constituency.
The Congress had named Nirmal Langthasa as its candidate from Haflong in its fifth list released on Sunday. Following Gorlosa’s induction, the party leadership replaced Langthasa and fielding her instead.
Gorlosa joined the Congress in the presence of party leaders, including Assam Pradesh Congress Committee general secretary Nirmal Langthasa.
“We are very happy to announce that Nandita Gorlosa has joined the Congress party….Congress will declare her as our candidate for Haflong seat tomorrow,” said Congress in a statement.
“Gorlosa is set to contest the election in congress ticket from the Haflong seat as Sh Langthasa has proactively volunteered to vacate there seat in larger public interest. The formalities for the same will be duly completed shortly,” it added.
The switch happened before the last date for filing of nomination on Monday. Voting for the single phase assembly election to all 126 seats will take place on April 9.
A sitting MLA from Haflong, she was denied a ticket by the BJP, which fielded Rupali Langthasa from the seat after dropping several sitting legislators.
She reacted soon after the BJP announced its candidate list on March 19. Senior leaders, including Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, had reached out to her.
Sarma visited Dima Hasao on Sunday before travelling to Silchar to meet party leaders. BJP leaders in Haflong said Gorlosa did not attend the meetings during the visit.
Speaking to reporters in Guwahati late Sunday night, Sarma initially said only a few leaders had left the party and that Gorlosa was not quitting the BJP. He later revised his statement after learning of her move.
“I had spoken to her and she seemed satisfied. The Congress had already announced its candidate from Haflong. I don’t know why she is joining that party,” he said.
Gorlosa was elected in 2021 and was inducted into the state cabinet. She handled the mines, minerals and tribal faith portfolios.