Hojai MLA Shiladitya Dev reconsiders move to quit BJP

Guwahati: Hojai MLA Shiladitya Dev who had recently become the subject of tabloid headlines after announcing his decision to leave the BJP party, seems to have done a U-turn. Now, it appears, the controversial MLA has decided not to step down from the saffron party "for a while.."

Dev, who had earlier informed that he would tender his resignation on Tuesday, was apparently asked by party leaders to not take a "hasty decision" and reconsider in a week's time.  According to reports, the outspoken BJP MLA has said he is willing to wait up to six months.

Earlier in the week, Dev had occupied the headlines by leveling some serious allegations against a party leader, whom he refused to name. The MLA, holding a press conference at his constituency Hojai, said that he had chosen to "retire" from the party because of alleged "groupism" and "neglect".

Giving hints, Dev said that the person being referred to "walks around with a bag" and claimed that he/she would destroy the party "soon." The MLA also claimed that this person was so powerful that he/she could get anyone killed.

The Hojai MLA stated that the party had become divided into 3 factions: the Himanta Biswa Sarma faction, Sarbananda Sonowal faction, and the Ranjeet Dass faction. Dev said that because Dass had refused to pick up his phone to answer his phone, he had informed the President about his decision to leave the saffron party via a simple text message.

Dev had also informed that he would not immediately join any political unit and would adopt the policy of 'Ekla Cholo'  ('Walk Alone') and tread a lonely political path. However, it appears that Dev has now chosen to continue walk alongside the BJP party members. For the foreseeable future, at least.

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