Himanta Biswa Sarma says Bhupen Borah to join BJP in major blow to Congress

Guwahati: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said thatsenior leader and former President of Assam Pradesh Congress committee (APCC) Bhupen Kumar Borah will join BJP on February 22.

Sarma on Tuesday met Bhupen at his residence in Guwahati. Both leaders jointly addressed media persons. Sarma said, “Borah was the last Hindu leader in Congress.” He said, “Borah’s joining will help BJP as he came from grassroot. He struggled to reach the position of AICC secretary, Borah started from NSUI later Youth Congress and later state unit party President.”

Sarma said, “Genuine Muslim leaders will join Raijor Dal. By 2031 Raijor Dal will replace Muslim vote bank of Congress. Congress losing Bhupen Borah is a big loss for Congress.” Borah had earlier indicated that he will contest the upcoming Assembly elections not on Congress ticket.


He may meet Union home minister Amit Shah during his visit to Assam on February 20. Following his resignation on Monday, a delegation of Congress party leaders met him and asked him to reconsider his resignation. He had sought time. Even Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had a telephonic conversation with him.

Borah on Tuesday said he currently has no party affiliation. “I have resigned and have not withdrawn it. Many parties have approached me. I am studying all the proposals. Some of my well-wishers from Hyderabad and Delhi are coming, and I will announce my decision soon.”

He said, “Whatever the people decide, I will accept. I want to stay connected with the public, whether in politics or otherwise. I will contest the election. I have always worked for the people and will continue to do so,” he said, adding that he is considering contesting from either Bihpuria or Ranganadi.

Borah criticised the party leadership, claiming that a large section of leaders is subjected to “mental torture”. “Many people in Congress are not ready to leave the party, but they are also not ready to accept APCC (R). They are in a state of mental distress. The party today has become APCC (R), and I cannot remain a part of this,” he said.

Congress insiders claim that Borah was miffed with the conduct of Dhubri MP, Rockybul Hussain. “Borah was tasked with working out alliances for Congress in this year’s assembly polls; however, Borah had complained about interference from Hussain and running a parallel body APCC (R) . This person broke the grand alliance which we cobbled ahead of the 2021 assembly polls. Everybody knows who benefited after we parted ways from AIUDF.” On Monday West Goalpara Congress MLA Abdur Rashid Mandal resigned as a Congress legislator and formally joined Raijor Dal.