"From today, he'll start a new political journey": Assam CM wishes Bhupen Borah on joining BJP
Guwahati, February 22
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday welcomed former Assam Congress Chief Bhupen Kumar Borah in the BJP, stressing that from today, Borah will start a new political journey.
Speaking to the media here, CM Sarma acknowledged the experience Borah carries, saying that he has contributed a lot to the Congress party.
"Bhupen Kumar Borah contributed a lot to the Congress party. He served in the Congress party for 32 years. From today, he will start a new political journey. I extend my best wishes to him," he said.
Borah joined the party in the presence of State BJP President Dilip Saikia and BJP MP Baijayant Panda, ahead of the assembly elections slated to be held in the next few months.
Earlier on Tuesday, Assam CM had announced that Borah will join the BJP, following his resignation from the Congress party.
Meanwhile, Bhupen Borah reflected on his 32-year political career, highlighting his rise from MLA to Assam Congress chief and his role in shaping the party's alliances in the state.
"I started the talks. On the 11th, Gaurav Gogoi said, 'You shouldn't go alone, take Rakibul Hussain along too'. I was talking to all the parties, but on the 13th, Gaurav Gogoi announced that Bhupen Borah had created a misunderstanding. I asked him why he had humiliated me in front of everyone, but he gave no answer. I even told Rahul Gandhi that I couldn't tolerate such humiliation. But no one said anything," he said.
Borah noted that when he became APCC president in 2021, Congress was in alliance with AIUDF, which he ended, and later, before the formation of the INDIA alliance, he successfully forged partnerships with 16 different parties.
"I gave 32 years to the Congress party. Congress made me from an MLA to APCC President... When I became president in 2021, Congress was in alliance with AIUDF. I broke the alliance. After that, before the INDIA alliance was formed, I forged alliances with 16 parties," Borah said.
— ANI
Reader Comments
The way Gaurav Gogoi handled this seems very unprofessional. If a senior leader like Borah is raising internal issues, they should be addressed, not brushed aside. Congress needs to fix its internal communication or more leaders will leave. 🤔
His point about breaking the AIUDF alliance is significant. Many in Assam were unhappy with that Congress-AIUDF tie-up. He took a bold step then. Now, ahead of elections, this switch is a big setback for Congress in the state.
While I understand his frustration, switching parties just before elections feels more like opportunism than ideology. Voters are smart and will see this. I wish our politicians had more conviction in their principles.
CM Himanta Sarma is a master strategist. Welcoming a senior Congress leader with such grace and highlighting his experience is smart politics. This strengthens BJP's position massively before the assembly polls. Game on! 💪
The real story is the "humiliation" he mentions. If even after talking to Rahul Gandhi nothing happened, it shows a deep disconnect in the Congress leadership. They are losing ground not just in elections but in retaining their own people.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.