Assam Poll Twist: BJP Minister Nandita Garlosa Switches to Congress After Ticket Snub, Set to Contest Haflong

In a significant political development ahead of the Assam Assembly elections, former BJP minister Nandita Garlosa has joined the Congress after being denied a ticket by the ruling party, triggering a fresh churn in the state’s electoral landscape.

Garlosa, the sitting MLA from the Haflong (ST) constituency and a prominent face in Dima Hasao district, made the switch just days before the nomination deadline. Her exit from the BJP comes after the party decided to drop her from the upcoming polls, fielding first-time candidate Rupali Langthasa instead—reportedly as part of a broader strategy to counter anti-incumbency and recalibrate its candidate list.

The move marks a high-profile defection, given Garlosa’s role as a cabinet minister in the Himanta Biswa Sarma-led government and her strong grassroots presence in the hill district.

Congress Rejigs Candidate List

Following her induction, the Congress has moved swiftly to accommodate Garlosa in its electoral plans. The party confirmed that she will contest from the Haflong seat, with its earlier nominee Nirmal Langthasa stepping aside in what it described as a decision taken in the “greater public interest.”

Party insiders suggest that Garlosa’s organisational network and influence among tribal voters played a key role in the decision. Her entry is being viewed as a strategic boost for the Congress in a constituency considered crucial in the hill regions of Assam.

Timing Ahead of Crucial Polls

The development comes at a critical juncture, with Assam set to vote on April 9 for its 126 Assembly seats. The last-minute political switch underscores the fluid nature of alliances and candidate selection in the run-up to the elections.

Garlosa’s defection also highlights internal churn within both major parties, as leaders recalibrate positions amid ticket distribution and local dynamics.

Political Implications

Her move is expected to directly impact the contest in Haflong, where she remains a strong local figure. At the same time, it signals a broader trend of cross-party shifts ahead of the polls, with both the BJP and Congress witnessing high-profile exits and entries in recent days.

As campaigning intensifies, all eyes will now be on whether Garlosa can retain her political stronghold under a new party banner—and how the BJP counters the challenge in a key tribal constituency.​