Guwahati, February 22: In a significant political development ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections, former Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Bhupen Kumar Borah formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the party’s state headquarters in Guwahati on Sunday.
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| Bhupen Kumar Borah formally joins the BJP in Guwahati in the presence of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and state leaders ahead of Assam Assembly polls. |
Borah was inducted into the BJP in the presence of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, State BJP president Dilip Saikia, and senior minister Jayanta Malla Baruah. Several party leaders and workers attended the induction ceremony.
Young Congress leaders, including Sanju Baruah and Sarbanarayan Deori, also joined the BJP alongside Borah.
A Veteran Politician’s Shift
A seasoned politician, Borah was associated with the Indian National Congress for over three decades. He served as a Member of the Assam Legislative Assembly from the erstwhile Bihpuria constituency for two consecutive terms between 2006 and 2016. However, he lost the seat to the BJP in the 2016 and 2021 Assembly elections.
Born on October 30, 1970, in Pohumora in Lakhimpur district, Borah completed his graduation from North Lakhimpur College and Dibrugarh University. During his student years, he was active in the All Assam Students’ Union, where he was a contemporary of Union Minister and former Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.
Borah also served as a spokesperson and parliamentary secretary in the Government of Assam during the tenure of former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi. He led the APCC as its president between 2021 and 2024, succeeding Gaurav Gogoi.
Reasons for Quitting Congress
Borah resigned from the Congress earlier this week, alleging that party affairs in Assam were being controlled by MP Rakibul Hussain and claiming that the leadership structure had weakened.
Speaking after joining the BJP, Borah said his decision followed deep introspection. “I worked in the Congress for 32 years. I have served the party with sincerity and dedication. But I feel the party has drifted from its core values and hurt national self-respect,” he said.
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Despite reported efforts by senior Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, to persuade him to reconsider, Borah went ahead with his decision. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had earlier visited Borah’s residence and announced his formal induction into the BJP on February 22.
BJP Welcomes Move
Welcoming Borah, Dilip Saikia said his experience and organisational skills would strengthen the BJP’s base in Assam. Jayanta Malla Baruah added that Borah’s decision reflects growing confidence in the BJP’s leadership and development agenda.
Borah’s switch is seen as a major political shift in poll-bound Assam, where the 126-member Assembly is expected to go to elections later this year. Political observers believe the move could impact the Congress’s organisational strength as the BJP continues to consolidate its position in the state.
