Assam Assembly Election 2026: The Assam politician has been making headlines in the Assam political arena for joining the Congress from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) just before the 2026 assembly elections. Nandita Gorlosa is the MLA from the constituency of Haflong (ST). She is a former Assam government minister. The Assam politician had to change parties after the BJP did not give her a ticket for the election. The BJP instead gave a ticket to newcomer Rupali Langthasa from the constituency of Haflong. However, the BJP decision to deny a ticket to Nandita Gorlosa for the election just a day before the nomination deadline prompted the Congress to change their candidate for the constituency of Haflong.
Who is Nandita Gorlosa?
Nandita Gorlosa is a prominent leader from Assam who has been representing the Haflong (ST) constituency since 2021. She first gained prominence after she won the assembly election on a BJP ticket. Subsequently, she took up a cabinet role. During this period, she took charge of important portfolios such as mines and minerals, as well as tribal faith and culture.
Nandita Gorlosa was born on May 13, 1977, in Haflong, Dima Hasao district. Gorlosa has gained prominence as a strong leader from the hill region of Assam. She enjoys considerable support from the tribal population of Assam. Over the course of time, she has gained prominence for her initiatives related to education and tribal welfare.
Why Did Assam Politician Nandita Gorlosa Leave BJP?
Gorlosa severed ties with the BJP in March 2026, as she was not issued a ticket for the assembly polls. The BJP opted for Rupali Langthasa, a newcomer, for the Haflong constituency as part of a larger plan, which involved dropping a number of incumbent MLAs from the list of candidates.
Gorlosa has now joined the Congress Party, and she will now contest the assembly polls from the Haflong constituency as a Congress candidate. Her joining the Congress has forced the party leadership to reconsider their earlier candidate, as there was a notion that Gorlosa’s candidature will help the Congress Party.
Impact of Gorlosa’s Defection on Assam Politics
The defection by Gorlosa demonstrates the dynamic nature of Assam’s politics in the run-up to the 2026 elections. Her strong tribal backing can prove to be a deciding factor in the outcome of the election in Haflong, which is one of the most crucial constituencies in the Dima Hasao district.
The last-minute defection by Gorlosa has already caused Congress to reshuffle its candidate list. Experts are also speculating that her defection can affect political calculations in other constituencies because tribal votes are crucial in Assam assembly elections.
What This Means for the 2026 Assam Assembly Elections
With the elections scheduled for April 9, 2026, Gorlosa’s move has been regarded as one of the biggest political surprises in Assam’s pre-poll scenario. Her popularity, experience, and influence are expected to make the Haflong constituency a key focus of the coming elections.
