Former Finance Secretary AGP Jayanta Khaund joins Congress in presence of Assam Congress chief Gaurav Gogoi, DK Shivakumar and others at AICC office in New Delhi on March 9, 2026. | Photo credit: Shashi Shekhar Kashyap
The Congress on Monday (March 9, 2026) inducted former Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) National Finance Minister Jayant Khaund and several others into the party, a move it hopes will boost workers’ morale ahead of the upcoming Assam Assembly elections.
Mr. Khaund joined the Congress at the party headquarters here in the presence of Jitendra Singh Alwar, AICC General Secretary in charge of Assam; DK Shivakumar, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and Chief Congress Observer for Assam; Gaurav Gogoi, Assam Pradesh Congress Committee President; and Manoj Chauhan, AICC National Secretary.
Welcoming him at the party, Mr. Gogoi said the induction of a people’s leader like Mr. Khaund reflected the growing discontent in Assam against the leadership of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Mr. Gogoi alleged that several leaders within the ruling dispensation feel “suffocated” under the current leadership, saying that honest workers have been sidelined while corrupt elements have been encouraged.
Mr. Gogoi said Mr. Khaund’s decision to join the Congress indicated a growing desire for political change in the state.
Mr. Singh targeted the BJP and alleged that the party followed a pattern of weakening regional parties after forging alliances with them. He said similar attempts were being made to undermine the AGP in Assam and added that Mr. Khaund’s entry would strengthen efforts to protect the culture and values of Assam.
Published – 10 Mar 2026 03:15 IST
