Mariani MLA Rupjyoti Kurmi who had resigned from Congress on June 18 back joined BJP on June 21 in the presence of chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and several other senior leaders.
“If we don’t think and work for the interest of the indigenous people now, our future may be dangerous. People in Assam can hope for a better tomorrow with BJP in the power. I’m happy to be with the BJP now. In fact, I think I have already delayed a lot. I should have joined a long time back,” said Kurmi after joining the saffron party.
He had won the Mariani constituency in eastern Assam four times in a row since 2006 and was the only Congress MLA representing the tea plantation workers.
We welcome Sri Rupjyoti Kurmi to BJP family.
A prominent leader from Tea – Tribe Community & 4-term MLA, he has always been working for uplift of poor & development of the region.@BJP4Assam shall immensely gain from his experience. Best wishes 💐@BJP4India @JPNadda pic.twitter.com/lJC4hYt1Vd
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) June 21, 2021
The BJP is expected to field him as its candidate when by-election to Mariani is held along with two other seats lying vacant after their representatives died from COVID-19 a month ago.
Earlier on June 18 when he submitted his resignation, Kurmi made it clear that he quit the Congress after he was snubbed for the state president’s post.
“Young leaders do not get a chance in the Congress. The same person will be given two-three posts year after year. The Congress ignores newcomers, grassroots workers and indigenous minority leaders,” he had told journalists.
“Am I not capable of being APCC (Assam Pradesh Congress Committee) president? They did not even consider me for the post of Chief Whip of Congress Legislature Party,” he was quoted as saying in media reports.
