Guwahati: A day after sitting MP Pradyut Bordoloi joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), his son Prateek Bordoloi on Thursday withdrew his candidature from the Margherita Assembly constituency, citing the prevailing circumstances as unsuitable for continuing in the electoral contest.
In a letter to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Prateek Bordoloi said his decision was aimed at ensuring clarity and maintaining the confidence of both voters and party workers. He noted that the people of Margherita, as well as dedicated Congress workers, deserved a candidate whose position was unequivocal, particularly at a critical juncture.
“It would not be appropriate for me to continue as a candidate in the present circumstances,” he said, adding that any ambiguity regarding his commitment or the party’s stance could be unfair to both the electorate and grassroots workers.
His withdrawal comes in the wake of recent political developments involving his father, whose decision to join the BJP has led to speculation and unease within sections of the Congress in the region.
Despite stepping out of the electoral fray, Bordoloi reaffirmed his allegiance to the Congress, asserting that his faith in the party’s principles remains unwavering. He said he would continue to work for the organisation and contribute to the development of Margherita in any role assigned by the party leadership.
Having been associated with the Congress from an early stage, he credited the party with shaping his political outlook, which he said is anchored in inclusive development and secular democratic values.
He also expressed gratitude to the party leadership for the opportunities and trust placed in him over the years.
The development is being viewed as an effort to maintain organisational discipline and avoid sending mixed signals to voters at a time of shifting political alignments in the region.