Guwahati, March 4: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on March 4 remarked that while several Congress leaders are keen to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), he cannot induct all of them, quipping that doing so might cost him his own place in the party.
Speaking to reporters, Sarma was asked whether more leaders would follow Assam Congress chief Bhupen Kumar Borah in switching sides. Responding candidly, he said, “Many leaders want to join the BJP, but if I bring everyone from Congress, then I will only be out of the BJP.”
He, however, confirmed that three sitting MLAs — Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha, Basanta Das and Shaktikanta Das — are set to formally join the BJP at 8 am on Wednesday.
The development signals another setback for the Indian National Congress ahead of the upcoming political season in Assam, even as the BJP continues efforts to consolidate its position by drawing opposition leaders into its fold.
