MANGALDAI, Feb 2 - Hiren Kumar Das, previously two times MLA from AGP in Mangaldai LAC, former president of AGP, Darrang District Committee and a veteran leader with regional ideology today formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party along with a few of his followers. Several senior state leaders of the saffron party including its vice president Santanu Bharali, general secretary Bhabesh Kalita, among others, welcomed Das and other newcomers to their party fold and greeted them with a saffron towel and a cap each at a public function organised at the District Library auditorium here this afternoon.
Meanwhile, talking to the media on the eve of joining the BJP, the former AGP MLA justified his decision to join a national party after leading a regional political party for so many years stating that even from a national party he will be able to work for regional aspirations.
Further, he pointed out he has been compelled to take this decision as the top AGP leaders are planning to make pre-poll alliance with the ruling Congress and the AIUDF. It may be mentioned here that Hiren Kumar Das will be one of the strong ticket contenders in the saffron party from Mangaldai constituency along with other five tickets aspirants. Hiren Kumar Das won the seat in 2006 Assembly election defeating his nearest Congress candidate and present Water Resource Minister Basanta Das. However, he had to remain satisfied in the third position in the last Assembly poll behind contesting Congress and AIUDF candidates.