In a major setback to the Congress-led grand alliance, a candidate has reportedly quit the Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) ahead of the third phase of polling across 40 seats in Assam.

The BPF fielded Rangja Khungur Basumatary from the Tamulpur constituency- one of 12 constituencies across the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR).

It may be mentioned here that the BPF is one of the 10 parties in the grand alliance.

The development was informed by state finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma late on Wednesday night in a tweet.

In the tweet, Sarma said that Basumatary had met him and expressed his “desire to join the BJP and retire from the election”.

Even though Basumatary cannot technically withdraw from the April 6 contest, however, his decision to “retire” is likely to make the path clear for the United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL).

Basumatary is reportedly missing since March 31.