In yet another blow to the Opposition in Assam ahead of the Assembly elections, suspended Congress MLA Sherman Ali Ahmed on Tuesday joined the Akhil Gogoi-led Raijor Dal, becoming the second legislator from Assam’s principal Opposition party to switch sides within two days. A three-time MLA from the Baghbor constituency, Ahmed was formally welcomed into the party fold by Raijor Dal president Akhil Gogoi and other senior leaders at a programme held in Kalagachia in Barpeta district. Earlier this week, another three-time Congress MLA, Abdur Rashid Mandal, jumped ship to join Raijor Dal. Addressing the gathering, Ahmed announced that he would seek nomination from the Mandia constituency in the upcoming Assembly elections to be held after the delimitation process.
A former government official, Ahmed was elected to the Assam Legislative Assembly in 2011 as a candidate from the All-India United Democratic Front. However, after being expelled from the AIUDF, he joined the Indian National Congress and went on to retain the Baghbor seat in the 2016 and 2021 Assembly elections. Ahmed was suspended from the Congress in October 2021 for allegedly violating party discipline. Prior to his suspension, he had been arrested over alleged provocative remarks related to an eviction drive in Darrang district.
