Guwahati, 21st March: Aminul Haque Laskar, a prominent minority leader of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Assam, made headlines as he switched his political allegiance to the Congress party, just a month ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
Laskar, who made history as the first minority MLA for the Assam BJP in 2016, resigned from his position on Wednesday. His political career included serving as the Deputy Speaker of the Assam Assembly and chairing the Assam State Commission for Minorities. However, his defeat in 2021 by Karim Uddin Barbhuiya of the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) marked a turning point.
In his statement, Laskar expressed disillusionment with the BJP, stating that he believed the party had strayed from its original political ideology in Assam. He lamented the significant departure from the party’s stance during his 13-year association, leading to his decision to resign.
Welcoming Laskar into its fold, the Congress party in Assam viewed his defection as a significant gain. Jitendra Singh Alwar, the party’s in-charge, was present during the induction ceremony. Laskar’s departure raised concerns within the BJP, particularly regarding its standing within the minority community.
Laskar pointed out ideological similarities between the BJP and Badruddin Ajmal’s AIUDF, suggesting a potential alliance between the two parties in Assam. As the only Muslim MLA from the BJP in the region since 2016, his exit may impact the party’s credibility among the Muslim community in Assam, according to Laskar.
His move underscores the evolving political dynamics in Assam and highlights the strategic implications for both the BJP and the Congress as they prepare for the upcoming elections.
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