Assam Congress Leadership Clash Exposes Deepening Rift Ahead of Elections
In a sharp escalation of internal tensions within the Assam Congress, state party president Gaurav Gogoi launched a scathing attack on Wednesday against leaders who have defected to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), asserting they have slipped into political irrelevance. Gogoi specifically targeted former state PCC chief Bhupen Borah, who resigned from the Congress on Monday and is scheduled to formally join the BJP on February 22.
Gogoi's Dismissal of Defectors as 'Insignificant'
Gaurav Gogoi, the Jorhat MP, drew parallels with previous defections to underscore his point. "Those who joined BJP have become insignificant. We can see the example of Sarbananda Sonowal and many more," he stated, referencing the former Assam Chief Minister who left the Congress years ago. Gogoi also took aim at the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), a BJP ally, claiming it is "on the verge of extinction."
Regarding Bhupen Borah's imminent switch, Gogoi was dismissive: "I don't think I need to talk specifically about Bhupen Borah's joining BJP." He framed the upcoming electoral battle as a contest between the "real Congress and old Congress," arguing that "the BJP is full of old Congress leaders. Basically, we will be fighting among ourselves in the election."
Borah's Fiery Retort and Allegations
Responding within hours, Bhupen Borah launched a counterattack, questioning Gaurav Gogoi's political standing and authority. "Who is Gaurav Gogoi to demand an apology from me?" he asked defiantly, asserting he owed no explanations for his decision. Borah's sharp rebuttal, coupled with earlier allegations against his former colleagues, has exposed widening fault lines within the Congress just days before his scheduled entry into the BJP.
The war of words has reinforced perceptions of a party adrift, providing the ruling BJP camp with fresh ammunition to argue that the opposition is imploding from within. Political observers note that this confrontation has laid bare a deepening crisis in the Assam Congress, where defections, leadership turmoil, and ideological confusion are converging at a critical juncture ahead of the polls.
Hinduism Debate and Claims of Party Resilience
Gogoi also reacted to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's description of Borah as the "last Hindu leader" in the Congress. "Sarma should stop giving Hindu certificates to politicians," he alleged, challenging the CM to a "face-to-face debate on Hinduism" to test who truly understands the religion's ethos.
Despite Borah's high-profile exit, Gaurav Gogoi insisted the Congress remains unshaken. "Congress is like an ocean; we are all just water drops in it. Congress was there long before our fathers and forefathers existed," he proclaimed. He confidently added, "Bhupen Borah's leaving will not impact our party's prospects in the assembly polls."
Broader Implications for Assam Politics
The public spat highlights several key dynamics in Assam's political landscape:
- Defection Trend: The ongoing exodus of Congress leaders to the BJP continues to weaken the opposition's structural integrity.
- Leadership Crisis: Internal discord and public clashes between senior figures like Gogoi and Borah point to significant leadership and strategic disarray.
- Electoral Narrative: The framing of the contest as 'real Congress vs. old Congress' attempts to reclaim a distinct identity amid defections.
- Ideological Battles: The exchange over Hinduism certificates indicates a broader struggle to define religious and cultural narratives in the state's politics.
As Bhupen Borah prepares to join the BJP on February 22, this episode underscores the intense factionalism and strategic challenges facing the Congress in Assam. The party's ability to present a united front and coherent alternative to voters remains in serious question, with the ruling BJP likely to capitalize on these visible internal fractures in the coming electoral battles.
