Just three weeks before the Assam Assembly elections, Congress MP from Nagaon parliamentary seat Pradyut Bordoloi has left the Congress and joined the BJP. This development has exposed the infighting within the Assam Congress on the one hand, on the other hand, the weakening grip of the Congress organization in the state and the leadership crisis has also come to the fore.

The development, which took place just before the polls, is also seen as a major setback for state Congress president Gaurav Gogoi as Bordoloi was the chairman of the party's manifesto committee for the assembly polls. In such a situation, his sudden resignation raises questions about organizational unity and discipline.

Why Shashi Tharoor of the Northeast?

Pradyut Bordoloi has often been called the "Shashi Tharoor of the Northeast" because of his intellectual outlook, understanding of international affairs, eloquence and environmental awareness and reformist stance within the Congress party. Bordoloi, along with Tharoor, had sought to make public the electoral college of the Congress to ensure fair elections within the organisation. He cited the reason for leaving the party as being sidelined and humiliated since his support to Tharoor.

Analysts believe that Gogoi's leadership ability and ability to keep the party united seems to be weakening with Bordoloi's departure.