Pradyut Bordoloi is among the most high-profile political leaders in Assam to have switched events this election season. A day after becoming a member of the BJP, the veteran Congress chief and Nagaon MP was fielded from Dispur Meeting constituency on Thursday.
Bordoloi spoke to The Indian Specific concerning the motive for his resignation from the Congress, Assam Congress President Gaurav Gogoi’s management and the politics of polarization. excerpt:
You contested your first election in 1998 on a Congress ticket from the Margherita parliamentary seat in Tinsukia district. Why did you select to finish your lengthy affiliation with Congress?
My involvement with Congress is for much longer. I grew to become a member of NSUI (Nationwide Meeting College students Union) once I was 16 years previous. I’m a primary technology politician and have had many alternatives to develop inside the social gathering. I used to be elected 4 instances as an MLA and served within the cupboard for 15 years. I’ve additionally served as a member of parliament twice.
However today, issues are usually not the identical as earlier than… I supported Shashi Tharoor (within the Congress presidential election) as a result of I assumed elections have been wanted inside the group. I traveled with him within the northeastern states for his election marketing campaign… I have to say that Mr. Mallikarjun Kharji, who grew to become president, by no means held any grudges, however I felt that others didn’t really feel the identical. I felt like I used to be being systematically excluded. My junior was appointed as a voting state reviewer and was included within the CWC invitees. My title was by no means thought of for something.
In 2019, I received the Nagaon Lok Sabha seat, which the Congress had not received for 35 years, however I needed to run from pillar to submit to get renominated in 2024. Gaurav Gogoi needed to contest from my constituency as a part of his Kaliabor constituency had shifted to Nagaon. Later, Rakibul Hussain additionally needed it. I used to be deeply harm. I received the seat due to Sonia Gandhi’s intervention. However the truth that I needed to go and plead with all of the leaders, together with KC Venugopal, made me really feel humiliated.
There was a gradual lack of belief in Gogoi ever since he took over as Assam Congress president. I felt remoted and faraway from all decision-making. The individual liable for the assault on my convoy was then congratulated by native MLA Asif Nazar of Laharighat and Gogoi. To my horror, Gogoi continued to share the rostrum with him the subsequent day regardless of my complaints. They need to re-nominate the MLA though I’ve submitted proof towards him. Throughout a gathering of the Central Elections Fee (CEC), I realized that Mr. Imran Masood, a really communal chief who refuses to sing Vande Mataram in parliament, had dismissed my grievance as a fabrication. The State Home Secretary was additionally current on the assembly however didn’t defend me.
Have you ever been in contact with Rahul Gandhi or Priyanka Gandhi Vadra?
Frankly talking, I’ve by no means been to Rahul Gandhi. Priyanka Gandhi is the chairperson of the jury. I’ve submitted all of the proof. She was sympathetic, however I do not know what occurred subsequent.
Earlier than leaving the Congress, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma had additionally alleged that the social gathering management had eliminated him. Is there a sample?
In case you say something about this, you will sound like a crybaby. It’s true that I felt humiliated.
How do you consider the way in which Gogoi has led the state meeting up to now?
I’ve to say he deserves credit score. He is a superb orator. However he isn’t taking everybody. He isn’t a staff individual, and he is unhealthy at organizing.
Nagaon constituency has a major Muslim inhabitants. At present, you belong to a political social gathering that claims that it doesn’t want Muslim assist in elections. Does that have an effect on you?
I’ve by no means supported or indulged in sectarian politics. I clearly do not divide folks on the premise of faith, caste or creed. I’ll by no means pursue politics like this. If somebody says that, I will not subscribe.
Nonetheless, the CM has made a number of feedback concerning the minority neighborhood, which the opposition events have criticized as polarizing.
He (Salma) have to be making such feedback for a particular motive. He’s a really political individual. I do know he’s succesful. What’s essential in my thoughts is that Assam has come out of the disaster interval and we are able to do miracles. he is doing loads of issues. We will do a very good jugalbandi to take the state ahead.
* Will welfare methods and infrastructure be sufficient to dampen the impression of the ruling social gathering’s divisive rhetoric?
CM is a superb organizer and has great power. He can play an important function. I’ll work with him. Personally, maybe in a really delicate method, you may level out that you would be able to’t do it. Possibly it is my job.
You have been the chairman of the committee that launched a 20-point cost sheet towards the Bharatiya Janata Occasion for corruption, unlawful wealth accumulation by the CM and fomenting concern amongst minorities.
It was a collective resolution. And we now have sorted out and clarified a number of the allegations that the opposition has raised prior to now…Clearly, it might be tough for me to justify that. However I feel it may be diluted.
Bhupen Boller, who additionally switched from the Congress to the Bharatiya Janata Occasion, accused Rakibul Hussain of controlling the social gathering to his personal comfort. Is there any foundation for that declare?
I do know Rakibur’s methods. He’s attempting to catch fish in tough seas. Due to this fact, his political fashion could not have been accepted by many leaders.
Does your and Bohra’s exit verify what the CM mentioned concerning the Congress, which is a celebration the place no Hindu chief can keep?
Historical past will inform you so. Nonetheless, we have been dissatisfied within the motive we have been excluded.
The Congress has fielded your son Prateek from Margherita. Nonetheless, he selected to withdraw his candidacy whereas remaining a parliamentary chief. Is it a deliberate technique?
After I first grew to become an MLA, my son was solely three years previous. He grew up in a household of members of Congress. My spouse and I all the time inspired our son to suppose independently. We by no means make them really feel privileged due to energy. Regardless of threats towards my household by ULFA, we didn’t enable him to journey in my official automobile.
He’s effectively educated and has his personal concepts. He began working to rebuild Congress in my previous constituency. After I joined the Bharatiya Janata Occasion, I informed him that the Bharatiya Janata Occasion shouldn’t affect him or his selections. I mentioned I respect his resolution.
