Guwahati, March 23: Assam minister Nandita Garlosa has switched to the Indian National Congress and will contest the upcoming Assembly elections from the Haflong constituency after being denied a ticket by the Bharatiya Janata Party.
The Congress confirmed her candidature on Sunday, stating that its earlier nominee, state general secretary Nirmal Langthasa, stepped aside in what the party termed as “greater public interest” to accommodate Garlosa.
Garlosa, the sitting MLA from Haflong in Dima Hasao district, changed sides after the BJP fielded first-time candidate Rupali Langthasa from the seat. Her exit from the ruling party is being viewed as politically significant in the hill district, where she has maintained a strong presence over the past five years.
Welcoming her into the party, the Congress said Garlosa has consistently raised issues concerning the district and remained firm in her positions. The party also criticised the BJP leadership, suggesting that her exclusion reflected priorities that did not align with local tribal interests.
A photograph released by the Assam Congress media team showed Garlosa formally joining the party in Haflong in the presence of Nirmal Langthasa and other leaders.
Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited Garlosa’s residence in Haflong, although details of the meeting were not disclosed.
Polling for the 126-member Assam Assembly is scheduled for April 9, with counting set for May 4.
