Guwahati: Former deputy commander-in-chief of the banned insurgent group ULFA, Drishti Rajkhowa, joined the ruling BJP in Assam on Thursday (July 17).
Rajkhowa, who surrendered to security forces in November 2020, joined the saffron party in Guwahati in the presence of BJP’s state president, Dilip Saikia, Cabinet Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah and a few other leaders.
The state BJP organized a grand joining ceremony at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Bhawan, the state party headquarters in Guwahati, on Thursday.
The event witnessed the formal induction of several influential leaders from various political parties and socio-cultural organizations into the party fold.
At least 50 others from Congress, Aam Admi Party, Raijor Dal and a few other organisations also joined the BJP at the event, a move that is expected to boost the governing party’s momentum before the Assembly Elections in 2026. AAP’s Assam unit ex-president Manoj Dhanowar joined the BJP on Thursday.
Rajkhowa aka Manoj Rabha had joined ULFA in 1988 and led the insurgent group’s 109th battalion across southern Assam for over three decades. Considered close to the banned outfit’s chief, Paresh Baruah, Rajkhowa remained with him after ULFA’s split in 2011-2012.
Addressing the gathering, Dilip Saikia said, “The BJP is not just a party; it’s a family open to all who believe in serving Maa Bharati. Each of you has taken a bold step in joining this nationalist mission to build a stronger India and a prosperous Assam.”
“After coming overground, Rajkhowa was drawn towards BJP’s nationalist ideology and got in touch with me. He was requesting me to induct him into the party but we had to wait. Many others like him are also willing to join our party. But we decided to induct him and a few others for some strategic reasons,” said Saikia.
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According to security officials, Rajkowa was an IED expert and had undergone arms training in Myanmar, Pakistan, and Afghanistan before he surrendered to security forces in Meghalaya in 2020.
Rajkhowa said he chose the BJP for its development push. “I haven’t joined for power or a seat. My vision isn’t election-centric,” he said.
