Guwahati, March 19: Congress candidate Prateek Bordoloi has formally withdrawn his candidature from the Margherita Assembly constituency, citing “present circumstances” following the defection of his father, Pradyut Bordoloi, to the Bharatiya Janata Party.
In a letter addressed to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Bordoloi said the decision was taken to uphold clarity and responsibility within the party. He noted that continuing in the race amid the current situation could create confusion among voters and party workers, who, he said, deserve “absolute clarity and confidence” in the party’s nominee.
“It would not be appropriate for me to continue as a candidate in the present circumstances,” he stated, adding that any ambiguity regarding his political position could be unfair to both the electorate and grassroots workers.
The development comes in the wake of his father’s recent political shift, which has triggered uncertainty within local Congress circles and reshaped the political narrative in the constituency.
Despite stepping aside, Bordoloi reaffirmed his allegiance to the Indian National Congress, stating that his faith in the party’s ideology remains unchanged. He expressed his intent to continue working for the organisation and the development of Margherita in any role assigned by the leadership.
He also acknowledged the role of the party in shaping his political journey, rooted in inclusive development and secular democratic values, and thanked the leadership for the trust placed in him over the years.
The move is being viewed as an effort to maintain party discipline and avoid mixed messaging at a time when political alignments in the region are undergoing significant shifts.
