Former Assam Congress President Bhupen Borah Set to Join Bharatiya Janata Party
In a significant political development, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has officially announced that Bhupen Borah, the former President of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee, will be joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on February 22, 2026. The announcement was made from Guwahati, marking a pivotal moment in Assam's political landscape.
Details of the High-Profile Induction
Chief Minister Sarma revealed that the BJP National President, Nitin Nabin, has given his approval for Borah's induction into the party. The coordination of all formalities and details regarding this significant political move has been entrusted to Dilip Saikia, a senior BJP leader in Assam.
Bhupen Borah is recognized as the last prominent Hindu leader within the Congress party in Assam, making his defection particularly noteworthy. CM Sarma emphasized that Borah will be welcomed with full respect and dignity, describing his joining as a "homecoming." He elaborated that the BJP has numerous members whose families, like Borah's, did not hold high political offices, yet they have found a welcoming space within the party.
Broader Political Implications and Strategy
This move is not isolated. Several other Congress leaders from key regions including Guwahati and North Lakhimpur are also expected to join the BJP alongside Borah. This collective shift underscores a strategic effort by the BJP to consolidate and strengthen its political footprint across Assam.
The timing and nature of these inductions highlight the BJP's ongoing strategy to absorb influential leaders from opposition parties, thereby weakening rival structures and bolstering its own cadre. CM Sarma's public confirmation and the involvement of national leadership indicate the importance placed on this development.
The political realignment in Assam continues to evolve, with this latest defection poised to impact the dynamics between the BJP and Congress significantly in the lead-up to future electoral battles.
