Guwahati: Senior Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) leader Ratul Kalita on Saturday resigned from the Congress. He sharply attacked the state party president Gaurav Gogoi and the top leadership for allegedly ignoring grassroots workers and favouring political elites.
At a press conference in his Nalbari residence, Kalita said senior Congress leaders value political heirs and ministers’ children more than ordinary party members like him.
“Because I come from an ordinary family, senior leaders do not give us importance. Only political heirs get attention,” Kalita said. He accused Gogoi of maintaining distance from grassroots workers and failing to recognise long-time party members’ contributions.
Kalita also raised concerns over the party’s candidate selection process. He said he applied for a Congress ticket in 2021 and this year, but the party overlooked him. “Even after waiting nearly 90 hours, no leader contacted me. The ticket was given to another candidate,” he added.
He further alleged that Congress increasingly awards tickets to former BJP leaders rather than loyal party workers.
The development sparked political ripples in Nalbari, with more than 20 Congress leaders and workers reportedly resigning in solidarity with Kalita. Some supporters were visibly emotional during the press conference.
Kalita confirmed he has resigned from all party responsibilities and his primary membership. He said discussions with supporters and associates will determine his next political move.
Meanwhile, Gogoi, who was in Jorhat following his nomination from the Jorhat Assembly constituency, said public response to the Congress candidate list has been encouraging.
The developments come amid ongoing discussions among opposition parties in Assam ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, with a broader alliance still under negotiation.