In a major jolt to the BJP, disgruntled party leader and cabinet minister Nandita Garlosa joined the Congress late Sunday night even after chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma made last-minute efforts to change her mind. Ms Garlosa, a Cabinet minister in the outgoing state government, submitted her nomination to contest from Haflong.
Ms Garlosa joined the party in the presence of its Haflong candidate, Nirmal Langthasa.
Confirming the
development, Congress party in a statement said, “We are very happy to announce that Ms Nandita Garlosa has joined the Congress party. She is the voice of Dima Hasao for the last five years and she always stood for her beliefs and principles.
She paid the price for this in the BJP because Himanta Biswa Sharma is only interested in selling the land of the tribals to large corporations. Congress declares her as our candidate for Haflong seat.”