Major Political Development in Assam’s Silchar: Former BJP MLA Dilip Kumar Paul Returns to Party Fold
Silchar, Assam – The political landscape witnessed a significant development on January 28th when former Silchar MLA Dilip Kumar Paul made a noteworthy return to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He rejoined the BJP when it was organizing the ‘Jogdan Karjosuchi’ campaign, meaning the homecoming of a powerful political personality in southern Assam.
In 2021, with Paul being a two-time MLA from Silchar, he was all set to make history by winning the constituency for an unprecedented third consecutive term. But Dipayan Chakraborty was given the party ticket instead.
During 2021, Paul created quite some buzz by leaving the BJP and allegedly trying to expose some of the party members on some illegal syndicate. It was nearly three years since the prodigal son’s return and he was welcomed by BJP members who put the party hat on Paul as a way of symbolically inducting him back.
On the same day, the BJP Assam’s mass recruitment drive also saw the inclusion of over 100 leaders from the Indian National Congress, including several senior functionaries and office bearers.
Minister Pijush Hazarika mentioned the time of Congress members’ crossover to the BJP in social media. In a jibe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Yoda Yatra, Hazarika derided that the Yatra had led members of Congress to switch to the BJP and not strengthen the party.
According to political analysts, Paul’s re-entry into the BJP is a major shot in the arm for the party in southern Assam and the Barak Valley territory. The former legislator’s network and popularity can lead to a recovery by the BJP of lost territory in Silchar.
Paul’s previous status as MLA and his popularity among the voters render him a good prospect for BJP. As the 2024 Lok Sabha elections draw closer, Paul’s return is a significant addition to the BJP’s arsenal for fighting the Congress in this key constituency.
