Guwahati/Haflong: In a major pre-poll setback for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Assam, state minister and sitting Haflong MLA Nandita Garlosa formally joined the Indian National Congress on March 22, 2026, after being denied a ticket by the ruling party. The Congress immediately announced her as its candidate for the Haflong (ST) Assembly constituency, paving the way for a high-stakes contest in the hill district of Dima Hasao.
Garlosa, who has represented Haflong in the outgoing Assembly and holds a strong political base in the district over the past five years, switched sides following the BJP’s decision to field first-time candidate Rupali Langthasa from the seat. The move reflects internal dynamics within the BJP, which has prioritized new faces in several constituencies despite the sitting MLA’s ministerial position in the current government.
In a strategic accommodation, Congress state general secretary Nirmal Langthasa, who was initially nominated for Haflong, stepped aside in the “greater public interest” to make way for Garlosa. A photograph shared by the Assam Congress media team captured the induction ceremony in Haflong, with Garlosa alongside Nirmal Langthasa and other party leaders.
The Congress highlighted Garlosa’s consistent advocacy for the concerns of Dima Hasao district and her firm stance on local issues. Party statements criticized the BJP’s exclusion as indicative of priorities that do not align with tribal interests in the region, positioning her defection as a boost for opposition unity in hill areas.
Notably, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited Garlosa’s residence in Haflong on the same day, though details of the meeting were not disclosed by either side.
This development adds another layer to the fiercely competitive Assam Assembly elections 2026, with polling scheduled for April 9 and counting on May 4. Haflong, a key Scheduled Tribe-reserved seat in the Dima Hasao hills, has gained renewed significance as Garlosa’s move could influence tribal voter sentiment and challenge the BJP’s hold in sensitive border and hill constituencies.
Garlosa’s transition underscores ongoing churn in Assam’s political landscape, where ticket distribution has led to several high-profile exits and realignments ahead of the single-phase polls.
Tags: Nandita Garlosa, Congress Haflong Candidate, BJP Ticket Denial, Assam Assembly Elections 2026, Haflong Seat, Dima Hasao Politics, Himanta Biswa Sarma, Tribal Interests Assam, Opposition Boost Assam, Northeast Polls
Hashtags: #NanditaGarlosa #AssamElections2026 #Haflong #CongressBJP #BJPTicketSnub #DimaHasao #AssamPolitics #TribalVotes #HimantaSarma #NortheastElections
