With Assam polls just 5 months away, Congress caught in leadership tussle

GUWAHATI: With the assembly election in Assam just five months away, opposition Congress is caught in a leadership tussle. It has seen a series of resignations of office-bearers and some of its senior members have met the ruling BJP’s leaders as a possible precursor to switching sides.

The developments come amid an internal bid to oust Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Ripun Bora.

Former minister Ajanta Neog recently met Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal, fuelling speculation that she may be joining the BJP. Congress had expelled her from the party.


The Congress MLA from Lakhipur, Rajdeep Goala, is also likely to join the BJP. Goala was expelled from the Congress in October.

Some former MPs and ministers have urged the Congress to replace Bora. saying it is not possible to win the polls under his leadership.

“Leadership change is the need of the hour for party workers, who are not feeling enthused under Bora. There has been a series of resignations in the party. The party is riddled with factionalism and big leaders are deserting the party owing to frustration,” said a senior Congress leader, who did not wish to be identified.

The leader said the Congress had a dismal performance in the recent Bodoland territorial council polls, in which it could just win one seat out of 40 seats. Another leader said, “The Congress leadership is moving cautiously on the leadership issue, for any change at this hour may be counterproductive. The BJP is already on the ground with workers fanned out.”