India, Jan. 24 -- Former All Assam Students' Union general secretary Shankarjyoti Baruah formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on January 24 at the Chief Minister's Office in Basistha, marking a notable political development in Assam.

The joining programme was attended by senior BJP leaders, including the party's Assam president, Cabinet ministers and Union ministers. Party leaders said Baruah's induction would strengthen the BJP's organisational base, particularly in Upper Assam, where he is considered to have significant influence.

Welcoming Baruah into the party, BJP leaders described him as a prominent figure with a wide support base and said discussions with him had been underway for some time. They expressed confidence that h...