After 32 years with Congress, former Assam chief Bhupen Borah joins BJP

Guwahati: Former Assam Congress president Bhupen Borah, who quit the Congress last week, joined the BJP on Sunday. Congress leaders Sanju Baruah and Sarbanarayan Deori also joined the BJP along with Borah.

Borah has been associated with the Congress for 32 years and served two terms as member of the Assam Legislative Assembly representing Bihpuria from 2006 to 2016. He was also the former president of Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) from 2021 to 2024.

Borah was general secretary of Dibrugarh University Postgraduate Students' Union and was associated with the All Assam Students Union.


Bhupen Borah has cited interference from party MP Rakibul Hussain as the major reason for his resignation. Borah claimed it was Hussain who is running the Congress in Assam and "APCC president Gaurav Gogoi is just a show piece."

Borah hinted at a large exodus from the party in the coming days. "Not all leaders have come today. Those who have not sought candidature have come. I have been invited to join the BJP, and I believe this is just the beginning."

He said once the Congress releases its candidate list, more leaders from Rajiv Bhawan, the state Congress headquarters in Guwahati, are likely to follow.

Borah said several Congress leaders are dissatisfied with the party's internal functioning. "I will act as a bridge for them." he said.

Welcoming Borah into the BJP, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the former Congress president had entered a "new phase" in his political career. "From today, his identity with the Congress is completely erased. Whatever differences existed in the past are forgotten. We welcome him and look forward to working together."