Assam Chief Minister Extends BJP Invitation to Former Congress President
In a dramatic political development, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma publicly invited former Assam Congress chief Bhupen Borah to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday. This move came just hours after Borah submitted his resignation from the Congress, triggering significant upheaval in the poll-bound state.
Sarma's Open Door Policy and Safe Seat Promise
Sarma declared that the BJP's doors were wide open for Borah and promised to assist him in securing election from a safe seat if he decided to switch sides. He further announced plans to visit Borah's residence to discuss his future political trajectory. If he wants to join the BJP, we will welcome him, but even if he does not want to do so, we extend our best wishes to him, Sarma told reporters.
Symbolic Resignation and Critique of Congress Democracy
The Chief Minister described Borah as the last Hindu leader in the Congress without a family background holding ministerial or legislative posts. He asserted that Borah's resignation sends a powerful message about the lack of internal democracy within the party. His resignation carries the symbolic message that in the Congress, no one from a normal family can prosper. Congress does not give recognition to people from ordinary families, but I hail from an ordinary middle-class family and the BJP has made me a chief minister. We stay opposite to the politics of blue blood, Sarma emphasized.
Drawing a parallel to his own political journey, Sarma added, Even Sarma was forced to leave the party as he was not made CM despite the support of 58 MLAs. Is this internal democracy? How long will this kind of politics continue? Somebody has to raise their voice, and I have done so.
Congress Leadership's Intervention and Borah's Reconsideration
In Guwahati, senior Congress leaders indicated that Borah had reconsidered his decision following intervention by the party high command. AICC Assam in-charge Jitendra Singh revealed that party president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi had spoken to Borah. The party leadership has discussed the matter with Borah. Rahul Gandhi also spoke to him for 15 minutes, Singh stated outside Borah's residence.
Singh added, This is our internal matter; we discussed in detail about the issues bothering him and I thank him for agreeing to withdraw his resignation. However, Borah clarified that he had only sought time to reconsider. My old colleagues and the party's central leadership came to my house, and I respect them. I have sought time till tomorrow morning so that I can talk to my family and take a decision in this regard, he explained.
Borah's Resignation and Ongoing Deliberations
In a late-night interaction, Borah confirmed that he had sent his resignation after 32 years in the party. The resignation letter has been sent, but the central leadership has said it will not accept it, Borah noted, adding, I cannot give directions to the central leadership, but I have asked for time to think about it and will inform them by tomorrow.
He mentioned consulting senior leaders and well-wishers before making a final decision. Many senior leaders and colleagues have asked me to consider all aspects, but nobody has said that I did anything wrong by sending the resignation letter, Borah said. Responding to Sarma's statement about visiting his residence, Borah remarked, If any CM wants to visit my home, it is a matter of pride for me.
Congress Leaders Rally to Retain Borah
Borah, who served as Assam Congress president from 2021 to 2025 and was replaced by Gaurav Gogoi last year, has been a two-time MLA. Senior Congress leaders, including Gogoi, MP Pradyut Bordoloi, Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia, and other MLAs, met Borah after he sent his resignation letter to Kharge. They addressed allegations that Borah was being ignored by the party leadership and not receiving due recognition in the state unit.
Gogoi described Borah as a pillar of strength for the party. I apologise to him as a younger brother if he felt hurt due to certain issues in the party, he expressed.
United Opposition's Firm Stance Against BJP Move
The United Opposition Forum, Assam, also appealed to Borah to remain with the opposition. Its spokesperson and Raijor Dal president Akhil Gogoi asserted that the forum would prevent him from switching sides. No one from the united opposition will let him join the BJP even if PM Narendra Modi or Home Minister Amit Shah comes. He was, is and will remain with us. Who will let him go...we will carry him everywhere with us, Gogoi declared.
He accused the Chief Minister of attempting to create confusion by suggesting Borah would join the BJP but added, this will not happen...we will not let it happen.
Uncertain Future Amidst Political Maneuvering
With Borah seeking time until Tuesday morning to reach a final decision, his political future remains highly uncertain. This development occurs as the BJP intensifies its outreach efforts and the Congress leadership works to contain the fallout ahead of the crucial Assembly polls in Assam.
