Rup Jyoti Kurmi, who recently resigned from the Congress and as Mariani MLA, formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during a function at Gerukamukh in Dhemaji district.
Rup Jyoti Kurmi submitted his resignation letter as Mariani MLA to the Assam Assembly Speaker, Biswajit Daimary, on June 18 and also resigned from the primary membership of the Congress.
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The Congress also expelled Kurmi from the party’s primary membership for anti-party activities.
Kurmi joined the saffron party in presence of Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Kurmi, who has been elected to the Assam Legislative Assembly from Mariani constituency on Congress ticket since 2006, donned saffron on Monday.
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After joining the BJP, Kurmi said, “The BJP formed the government at the Centre after winning the Lok Sabha election in 2014 and the government came under attack from various quarters. We also criticised the BJP government as the Opposition.”
Also read: Assam: Rup Jyoti Kurmi quits Congress to join BJP, resigns as Mariani MLA
“But the people of Assam have seen the good works, that have been done by the BJP government. So, I have joined the BJP keeping in view of the future,” Kurmi said.
“Besides, I am also feeling very happy today after joining the BJP. My joining in the BJP party has delayed,” he added.
Kurmi said he has joined the BJP as per advice from astrologers.
Also read: Assam: Congress expels Mariani MLA Rup Jyoti Kurmi from party
Criticising the Congress, Kurmi said, “The Congress party has no vision. It was a big mistake for the Congress to form alliance (in the Assembly election) with the AIUDF.”
While welcoming Kurmi to the BJP, chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma recognised Kurmi as one of his former colleagues in the Congress.
Chief minister is hopeful that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kurmi would flourish “even more and will work for the people of Assam”.
The Assam BJP has also welcomed Kurmi to the party.
In a tweet, the Assam BJP wrote: “We welcome Shri Rupjyoti Kurmi to BJP family and looking forward to share many success in future.”
Stating that Rupjyoti Kurmi has been a prominent leader and a four-time MLA, the Assam BJP said Kurmi “is working for the upliftment and development of the poor”.