INC’s Suryakanta Sarkar Switches to BJP Ahead of April 9 Polls

In a significant political development ahead of the elections, former Congress candidate from the Silchar Lok Sabha constituency, Suryakanta Sarkar, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday (April 7), dealing a blow to the Congress in the district.

Sarkar formally joined the BJP at a programme held at the party’s district office in Silchar in the presence of BJP national vice-president Baijayant Panda. He was welcomed into the party with a traditional party scarf and cap.

Speaking to the media after joining, Sarkar said his decision was driven by his desire to serve the common people more effectively. He stated that he comes from an ordinary background and believes that working under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma would enable him to contribute to development-oriented work.

He praised the Centre and the state government for what he described as development-focused governance and efforts towards ensuring national security. Sarkar said he wished to be part of these initiatives, which led to his decision to switch parties.

At the same time, he levelled serious allegations against the Congress. Sarkar claimed that Scheduled Caste communities do not receive adequate importance within the party and alleged that he had faced long-term neglect during his tenure. He further criticised the party’s functioning, calling it ineffective in addressing issues faced by the common people.

Referring to internal party structure, Sarkar said that despite provisions for reservation for SC, ST and OBC communities, there was insufficient representation in key committees formed under the leadership of Gaurav Gogoi. He described the All India National Congress as a “paralysed body” that fails to respond adequately to public concerns.

During the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Suryakanta Sarkar contested as the Congress candidate from the Silchar constituency, where he faced BJP’s Parimal Suklabaidya. Suklabaidya went on to win the seat and is currently serving as the Member of Parliament. Following the defeat, Sarkar largely remained out of the public and political spotlight until his recent move.

With polling scheduled for April 9, just two days away, Sarkar’s decision comes amid a series of high-profile defections from the Congress to the BJP. Notably, former APCC president Bhupen Kumar Borah, Nagaon MP Pradyut Bordoloi, and MLA Kamalakha Dey Purkayastha have all joined the BJP in recent times. Sarkar now adds to the growing list of leaders switching sides ahead of the elections.