Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) spokesperson Pramod Swami resigned from the party and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party Saturday, according to latest reports.
The resignation comes two days ahead of the second phase of the elections to the 126-member Assam Legislative Assembly. The first phase of the elections was held April 4 while the second has been scheduled April 11.
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi has been spearheading the election campaigns in the state.
The opinion polls conducted ahead of the Assembly elections suggested a defeat for the Tarun Gogoi-led Congress government that is projected to win only 36 seats, while the BJP was predicted to declare victory in 78 constituencies.
The BJP is also hoping to defeat Congress in Assam by winning a majority of the seats with the help of its allies, whereas Gogoi is confident of having a massive victory once again.
The result will be clear after counting of votes starts May 19. The Election Commission of India has instructed Assam, and the four other states having Assembly elections, to complete all the election process before May 21.
Assembly elections started in West Bengal, while the three other states — Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry — will go to polls May 16.
Assam Pradesh Congress Spokesperson Pramod Swami quits party, joins BJP.
— ANI (@ANI_news) April 9, 2016
