Guwahati: Denied a ticket from Dispur, senior BJP leader and sitting MLA, Atul Bora has chosen to recalibrate his political course, announcing plans to contest the 2029 Lok Sabha elections from Guwahati while ruling out any immediate rebellion against the party.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Bora said he had conveyed his decision to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma during a recent visit to his residence. “When the Chief Minister visited my residence, I informed him that I intend to contest from the Guwahati constituency in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. I will enter the Lok Sabha electoral race in 2029,” he said.
The statement comes days after the BJP denied Bora renomination from the Dispur Assembly seat, opting instead to field Pradyut Bordoloi, a recent entrant from the Congress. The decision had triggered speculation over Bora’s next move, with sections of his supporters pushing for an Independent bid.
Bora, however, made it clear that he would not break ranks. He said three options had been discussed with his supporters—contesting independently, backing Congress candidate Mira Borthakur Goswami, or staying away from the electoral fray, but he has now ruled out an Independent contest.
“Now it is clear that I will not contest independently,” he said, effectively closing the door on a rebel campaign.
Instead, Bora signalled a shift in focus to organisational work, particularly in the Dimoria constituency, which has undergone changes following delimitation and now includes areas such as Mathgharia, Birkuchi, Noonmati, Narengi and Satgaon. “I have told the Chief Minister that while I will not be involved in Dispur, I will work actively in Dimoria,” he said.
A day earlier, Sarma acknowledged Bora’s disappointment but underscored that the leader would continue within the party fold. “Due to political evolution, we could not give the nomination to Atul Bora. It is natural to feel upset, but he will continue to play an active role, particularly in Dimoria,” the Chief Minister said.
For Bora, the denial of a ticket appears to have reshaped immediate ambitions without severing party ties, an attempt to balance dissent with discipline as the BJP navigates candidate selection ahead of the Assembly polls.