Rupjyoti Kurmi’s decision is a ‘shocker’: APCC chief Ripun Bora

Party insiders said that Kurmi also wanted to become the APCC president but was not preferred by the Central leadership

Time8 Desk
June 18, 2021
3:16 pm

GUWAHATI: Assam Congress left in shock as its four-time legislator from Mariani Rupjyoti Kurmi tendered his resignation from his MLA post on Thursday. He is likely to join the saffron camp shortly.

Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Ripun Bora said that Kurmi’s decision to quit the Grand National party came as shocker and the reason behind his decision was still a mystery to the leadership.

Kurmi who has been a very vocal leader from the Congress and has lambasted BJP for all these years claimed that he has decided to leave the national party as he felt dejected, neglected despite serving the party for long.

Kurmi alleged, “I was the only MLA representing the Congress in the tea community. I worked very hard for Congress since my early days. I even slit my palms to back Congress’s demands. But sadly these things have no value in Congress.”

He also blamed the central Congress leadership and Rahul Gandhi and said has no confidence in the Gandhi scion. “Rahul Gandhi’s decision to ally with All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) was a blunder. The Congress is governed by a few senior leaders and there is respect for the youth in the party, neither in the Centre nor in the state,” he alleged.

Party insiders said that Kurmi also wanted to become the APCC president but was not preferred by the Central leadership.

Reacting to his decision, APCC president Bora said, “Kurmi’s claims are baseless. If not given importance, then how could he become MLA four times from the party? He was also made the president of Mazdoor Congress and was also the chairperson of the party’s manifesto committee in the last election. Then how come he claims that the party has not valued him. He was an asset to Congress and it’s very unfortunate.”

Bora added, “Till the other day, he was highly vocal against BJP and now he has reportedly shifted his stand. It’s still a mystery why. He should know that in Congress to become a party president, winning of an election is not the lone recruitment.”