New Delhi, March 18 -- Assam BJP President and MP Dilip Saikia on Wednesday said that the joining of Pradyut Bordoloi to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is a "huge setback" for the Congress party, stating that no one with "self-respect wants to remain with Congress."

"Pradyut Bordoloi's joining the BJP is sending a big message as he is a leader of a big stature. Such a leader not staying in Congress is a huge setback for the Congress party. It is not a good message. Nobody with self-respect wants to stay with Congress," Saikia said.

Speaking to ANI, BJP leader Diganta Kalita echoed a similar sentiment, saying Bordoloi's joining the BJP has broken the backbone of the Congress party in Assam.

"The Congress party, which was in power for ...