In a major political development ahead of the 2026 Assam assembly elections, former Union minister and four-time MP Rajen Gohain joined the Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) on Wednesday.
Gohain, who resigned from the BJP last month citing dissatisfaction with the party’s state leadership, was welcomed into the regional outfit by AJP president Lurinjyoti Gogoi.
Gohain had been a prominent BJP face in Assam for over three decades, winning the Nagaon Lok Sabha seat four times between 1999 and 2019.
He also served as Union minister from 2016 to 2019. While quitting the BJP, the 74-year-old leader accused the party of sidelining senior leaders and “betraying Assam’s indigenous communities”.
Gohain had earlier raised concerns over the recent delimitation of seats in the state, calling the process unfair.
The AJP, formed after the anti-CAA protests in 2020, sees Gohain’s entry as a major boost.
“This has opened the floodgates for others who are unhappy with the ruling BJP,” said Gogoi, adding that talks are underway with more leaders who may join in the coming months.
With Gohain’s induction, the regional party hopes to strengthen its presence and rally support from voters seeking a stronger voice for indigenous communities.
