Borah’s exit exposes fault lines within Assam Congress

Guwahati, Feb 16: Senior Congress leader Bhupen Borah on Monday submitted his resignation to the party high command, triggering immediate efforts by central and state leaders to prevent a deepening crisis within the Assam unit.

Soon after news of his resignation surfaced, several Congress leaders — including Jitendra Singh — reached Borah’s residence to hold discussions, indicating the seriousness with which the party views the development.

According to party sources, Borah had adopted a firm political position in recent years, particularly in distancing the Congress from the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF). The move was seen as a strategic attempt to counter the BJP’s polarisation narrative and reposition the Congress in Upper Assam.

“Borah chose to maintain a principled distance from the AIUDF as part of a deliberate strategy to blunt the BJP’s polarising campaign,” a party source said.

During the subsequent by-elections, as Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president, Borah reportedly took the initiative to bring together multiple anti-BJP forces, including civil society representatives, in an effort to forge a broad opposition platform.

However, internal differences appear to have intensified during candidate selection in the Behali Legislative Assembly Constituency (LAC). Sources allege that Gaurav Gogoi introduced a candidate who had previously sought a BJP nomination and was granted a Congress ticket before formally joining the party. The move reportedly strained relations with alliance partners and contributed to the collapse of the opposition coalition.

Allegations of financial inducements later surfaced in political circles, though no formal action followed. Sources claim Borah urged Gogoi to seek legal recourse to clear his name, but no such step was taken.

Party insiders maintain that Borah’s decision to disengage from the AIUDF yielded positive electoral dividends in Upper Assam. They argue that the move restored confidence among Congress workers and helped consolidate minority votes.

“After distancing from the AIUDF, uncertainty among party workers in Dhubri, Nagaon, and Karimganj reduced significantly. Congress secured three seats and lost Karimganj by a narrow margin,” a source said.

Yet, despite these gains, Borah is believed to have felt increasingly sidelined within the party’s organisational structure. Sources say several key decisions were taken without his concurrence, and following his exit as PCC president, his responsibilities were gradually diminished.

“While he subordinated personal sentiment to party discipline, the sense of disappointment remained. His contribution and loyalty to the organisation appeared to go unrecognised,” a source added.

Borah’s resignation comes at a sensitive time for the Assam Congress, which is attempting to recalibrate its strategy ahead of future electoral battles against the BJP.

The episode underscores deeper fault lines within the party — over alliance strategy, leadership dynamics, and candidate selection — at a time when unity remains crucial for mounting an effective opposition challenge in the state.

Whether the high command succeeds in persuading Borah to reconsider his decision could determine the immediate stability of the party in Assam. For now, the focus shifts to damage control and internal reconciliation.

Also Read: Assam: GMCH lady doctor writes to CM alleging workplace harassment

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