One more Assam Congress MLA likely to join BJP

Congress MLA of Raha assembly constituency Sashikanta Das on Monday met Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma and expressed his desire to work with the state government and the ruling party.

The Assam Chief Minister said the Congress MLA will not join BJP immediately and he will be with the ruling party and will cooperate in the party works.

“Congress MLA of Raha constituency Sashikanta Das met me today and expressed his willingness to work very closely with the government. So I had consulted with the party president Bhabesh Kalita today and after that consultation we have also decided to work closely with the MLA of Raha constituency. For all practical purpose he will work very closely with our government,” Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

The Assam Chief Minister also said if he is working closely with the government, then next will be obviously that some point of time definitely he will also join the party he opted for.

“He (Raha MLA) said that, I am absolutely happy with the performance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, I need his blessings and I want to work very closely with the state government. Joining political party, these are some process which will take place. But as of now he will sit with us, eat with us and drink with us,” Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

Himanta Biswa Sarma further said at least 6-7 more opposition MLAs are in touch with BJP.

Earlier, two Congress MLAs Rupjyoti Kurmi and Sushanta Borgohain and the AIUDF MLA Phanidhar Talukdar had quit the parties and joined BJP and they again elected to the Assam assembly on BJP tickets in bye-elections.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)