After Pradyut Bordoloi's Congress exit, his son bows out of Assam election race

A political debutant, Prateek was named by the Congress as its candidate for Margherita, a seat his father had represented in the assembly for four terms.

Published on: Mar 20, 2026, 13:35:33 IST

By Utpal Parashar

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

GUWAHATI: Prateek Bordoloi stepped down as the Congress candidate citing “changed circumstances” on Thursday, a day after his father and Nagaon MP Pradyut Bordoloi quit the party to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the Assam assembly elections.

Prateek Bordoloi with Congress state president Gaurav Gogoi. Prateek said he would continue to work for the Congress. (X/@prateekbordoloi)

A political debutant, Prateek was named by the Congress as its candidate for Margherita, a seat his father had represented in the assembly for four terms, in its first list released earlier this month. However, the elder Bordoloi’s defection to the BJP appears to have upended the party’s plans in the constituency.

ALSO READ | BJP fields new joinee Pradyut Bordoloi from Dispur, CM Himanta from Jalukbari in first Assam election candidate list

In a letter to Congress president and chairman of the Central Election Committee Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday, Prateek said it would be inappropriate for him to continue as a candidate in the present situation and said he would continue to remain a party member.

“In the present circumstances, following my father’s decision to join another political party, I feel it would not be appropriate for me to continue as a candidate,” he wrote in the letter, which was shared with reporters on Thursday.

“I believe the people of Margherita and the countless dedicated Congress workers deserve absolute clarity and confidence in the party’s candidate. It would be unfair to them if any confusion or perception arises regarding my commitment or the party’s position,” he added.

Prateek said he would continue to work for the Congress and the people of Margherita “in whatever capacity the leadership deems appropriate”.

A day earlier, Pradyut Bordoloi had said he had asked his son to take an independent call, without being influenced by his decision to switch sides.

Congress state president Gaurav Gogoi struck a sympathetic note, saying, “I have sympathy and moral support for Prateek Bordoloi. Whatever decision he wishes to take, I will speak on behalf of the party.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Utpal Parashar
A seasoned senior journalist, I have nearly three decades of experience across print, digital, and online platforms, covering political transitions, insurgencies, environmental issues, and development stories in India and Nepal. I am skilled in breaking news, leading editorial teams and launch of newspaper editions. I am adept at leveraging digital trends and social media to expand global reach, with a strong ethical foundation and a reputation for impactful journalism. An alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, I joined Hindustan Times in New Delhi as a trainee reporter in May 1997. Over the years, I have been posted in Dehradun, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Guwahati. Currently, as Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times, I lead a team reporting on India’s northeastern states. My work involves in-depth analysis, and engaging multimedia storytelling across formats, including text, photo, video, and interactive content. I am skilled in producing timely, shareable content, leveraging digital platforms and social media to engage global audiences. Throughout my career with the Hindustan Times, I have led diverse editorial teams, designed capacity-building activities, and supported reporters in developing strong story ideas, ethical reporting practices, digital skills, and fact-checking techniques. As Senior Assistant Editor for Northeast India, I have been responsible for guiding correspondents through complex political, humanitarian, and community-level stories using multimedia formats. Earlier, as Foreign Correspondent in Nepal, I produced extensive reporting during Nepal’s democratic transition and the 2015 earthquake and its aftermath.Read More

Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather and major national developments.