Guwahati: In a dramatic turn of events ahead of the April 9 Assembly polls, senior BJP leader and Cabinet Minister Nandita Garlosa has reportedly joined the Congress after being denied a ticket by the saffron party. Garlosa, who represents the Haflong (ST) constituency, is expected to file her nomination papers as the Congress candidate on Monday, March 23, the final day for filing nominations.
The move follows the BJP’s decision to drop Garlosa from its first list of 88 candidates, replacing her with new face Rupali Langthasa. While the Congress had officially named Nirmal Langthasa in its fifth list released on Sunday, party sources indicate a last-minute tactical shift to field Garlosa instead, capitalizing on her influence in the Dima Hasao hill district.
Garlosa, who held the Mines, Minerals and Tribal Faith portfolios in the Himanta Biswa Sarma-led ministry, was among 19 sitting MLAs dropped by the BJP to combat anti-incumbency.