Internal tensions within the Indian National Congress in Assam have intensified after Nagaon MP Pradyut Bordoloi warned that he may leave the party if Lahorighat MLA Dr. Asif Nazar is renominated as the Congress candidate for the Assam Legislative Assembly Election 2026.
Bordoloi conveyed his concerns in a letter to Jitendra Singh, General Secretary of the All India Congress Committee in charge of Assam. Party sources said the MP also travelled to New Delhi on Monday to discuss the matter with the central leadership.
In the letter, Bordoloi referred to an alleged life-threatening attack on him on April 27, 2025, in the Dumdumia area. According to him, Assam Police carried out a suo motu investigation and arrested Emdadul Islam, a resident of Lahorighat, who was later charge-sheeted in the case. Bordoloi alleged that Islam is widely known to be a close associate of Nazar.
The MP further claimed that after being released on bail, the accused received what he described as a “hero’s welcome” allegedly organised by Nazar. He also alleged that Islam later attended a programme at the residence of APCC president Gaurav Gogoi on January 11, 2026, where he was felicitated.
Bordoloi said he had strongly objected to the move and had earlier urged Gogoi not to endorse Nazar’s alleged association with the accused. He also claimed to have submitted evidence regarding the alleged links of the accused before Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who chaired the party’s screening committee meeting where candidate selection was discussed.
According to Bordoloi, during a meeting of the Congress Central Election Committee in New Delhi on March 13, committee member and Uttar Pradesh MP Imran Masood reportedly dismissed the allegations against Nazar as “false and fabricated”. Bordoloi expressed disappointment that Gogoi did not intervene during the discussion.
“Such remarks about me in front of the party’s highest leadership caused deep humiliation. Despite the circumstances, I will continue to fight to protect my dignity and honour,” Bordoloi said in the letter, adding that he has once again submitted relevant evidence to the party leadership.
He warned that if the issue is not addressed, he may be compelled to leave the Congress.
Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma reacted to the development, saying it reflected his earlier prediction that Bordoloi might not remain in the Congress for long. Speaking at a press briefing in Guwahati, Sarma said Bordoloi has self-respect and may eventually part ways with the party.
The controversy comes amid another recent row involving Nazar, who along with three other Congress workers was detained by Dispur Police in Guwahati for allegedly transporting a truck carrying printed leaflets containing allegations against the Chief Minister. Senior Congress leader Mira Borthakur later defended Nazar and criticised the police action, stating that the party would extend legal support to the detained workers.
With candidate selection for the upcoming Assembly elections underway, the dispute has highlighted growing differences within the Assam Congress leadership.
