Former Ulfa deputy chief, Assam’s AAP ex-chief join BJP

GUWAHATI: Former Ulfa deputy commander-in-chief Drishti Rajkhowa and AAP’s Assam unit ex-president Manoj Dhanowar joined BJP Thursday, a move that is expected to boost the governing party’s momentum before assembly elections in 2026.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.Rajkhowa surrendered in 2019 on humanitarian grounds with the approval of Ulfa (Independent) — the Baruah-led anti-talks faction .Rajkhowa said he chose BJP for its development push. “I haven’t joined for power or a seat. My vision isn’t election-centric,” he said.