Former Union Minister and four-time Nagaon Member of Parliament, Rajen Gohain, officially joined the regional party Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) on Wednesday, November 5, marking a notable shift in Assam’s political landscape.
Gohain, previously a seasoned leader of the BJP, resigned from the party on October 9, citing mounting discontent with its leadership and direction. He described his departure as a response to what he termed a drift away from the values established by leaders like Atal Bihari Vajpayee and LK Advani.
The induction ceremony was held at the PWD Auditorium in Guwahati, where Gohain arrived with a following of supporters and was welcomed by senior AJP figures including president Lurinjyoti Gogoi, working president Chitta Basumatary, and prominent party leader Jagadish Bhuyan.
Addressing the audience, Gohain pledged to continue serving the people of Assam with sincerity and dedication. “Wherever I am, I have always tried to perform my duties with honesty and commitment. I will continue to do so here as well,” he affirmed.
He publicly expressed dissatisfaction with his previous party’s direction, stating: “We did not join this party to witness personality-driven politics. It has now gone into the hands of people who have little connection with the party’s founding values.”
Gohain had served as Minister of State for Railways during the first term of the Narendra Modi government. Following his formal resignation from the BJP’s state headquarters in Guwahati, speculation grew over his next political move – which now sees him aligning with the AJP.
His shift to the regional party may boost AJP’s standing, as the party – born out of the anti-CAA movement – gains the support of a veteran politician known for governance experience and grassroots connection. Political analysts view this as a strategic acquisition for the AJP ahead of forthcoming electoral contests in Assam.
