Reported by Avik Chakraborty
Dibrugarh: In a notable development within Assam’s regional political landscape, former Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) candidate from the Dibrugarh Assembly constituency, Mainak Patra, has stepped down from the party. He has resigned both from the party’s primary membership and his post as Central Vice-President.
Patra submitted his resignation to AJP president Lurinjyoti Gogoi on Friday, stating that he was relinquishing all responsibilities for personal reasons. In his resignation letter, he said the decision was made after careful thought and that he would immediately withdraw from all organisational activities associated with the party.
Reflecting on his tenure with the AJP, Patra expressed appreciation to the party leadership, colleagues and grassroots workers for their support and cooperation. He described his association with the regional outfit as a meaningful and enriching experience and conveyed his best wishes for the party’s future growth and success.
The resignation comes less than a month after the 2026 Assam Assembly elections. Patra had contested from the Dibrugarh Assembly constituency on an AJP ticket, challenging BJP veteran and sitting MLA Prasanta Phukan in one of the BJP’s strongest bastions in Upper Assam.
According to the election results, Phukan secured 1,06,803 votes, while Patra polled 34,760 votes, losing the contest by a margin of 72,043 votes. Patra was among the candidates named in the AJP’s first list for the Assembly polls and was fielded as part of the party’s efforts to expand its footprint in Upper Assam.
Notably, Patra’s resignation letter did not mention any internal dispute or ideological differences within the party. Instead, he attributed his decision entirely to personal considerations.
Political analysts believe the move could trigger discussions within the AJP as it reviews its electoral performance and charts its organisational strategy following the Assembly elections. The party’s future plans for Dibrugarh and other constituencies where it failed to make significant gains are also expected to come under focus.
While the immediate impact of Patra’s departure remains uncertain, his resignation is seen as a setback for the AJP as it seeks to strengthen its organisational network and consolidate its position in Assam’s evolving political landscape.