The Congress is engulfed in uncertainty as Assam Assembly elections approach. The party in the state is strained by factional divides. High-profile exits have also led to the growing turbulence.
According to reports, the churn has exposed organisational fault lines inside the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee. And it has naturally opened space for the BJP to press its advantage.
Former state unit chief Bhupen Kumar Borah resigned. The Indian National Congress politician is learnt to have attributed his decision to the alleged highhandedness of Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi.
The development came just days before Priyanka Gandhi’s scheduled visit to Assam.
Borah reportedly sent his resignation letter to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and also wrote to Rahul Gandhi.
In his letter, he said he was being sidelined. He also claimed he was denied his due in the state unit.
He said he had informed the high command about the way the party was functioning in Assam and that the situation had hurt his self-esteem and dignity.
He maintained that the decision was not personal. He reportedly pointed out that he had devoted 32 years to the party since joining in 1994. He added that his stand was guided by concern for the party’s future and that he had conveyed everything in detail to the leadership.
Soon after, Gaurav Gogoi reached Borah’s residence, claimed reports. Borah held Gogoi responsible, citing policies, high-handedness and favouritism. Borah had served as Assam Congress president from 2021 to 2025 and was replaced by Gogoi last year. He is a two-time legislator in Assam.
Serious setback
He was expected to contest from the newly formed Ranganodi constituency. He was also likely to initiate talks with Opposition parties for an alliance. However, the inclusion of MP Rockybul Hussain in the team reportedly led to discontent. Borah, a former president of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee, has long been one of the party’s most prominent faces in the state. His exit is seen as a serious setback, especially in Upper Assam where he wields considerable influence.
Observers described the timing of his resignation, well before candidate announcements, as a calculated signal of deepening dissatisfaction within the Congress.
It’s said that Borah is likely to formally join the Bharatiya Janata Party in the coming days, possibly in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Such an induction would underline the BJP’s effort to consolidate its position by drawing influential opposition leaders into its fold.
Borah is expected to contest the Assembly elections from Ranganadi on a BJP ticket. The seat is regarded as politically significant. His personal network, combined with the BJP’s organisational machinery, could present a formidable challenge.
Already in the scheme
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma reportedly backed the move. He also assured full support to secure Borah’s victory from Ranganadi if he joins, indicating that the party has already factored him into its electoral plans.
These events come amid widening internal divisions within the state Congress. Party insiders said factionalism inside the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee has intensified. Organisational cohesion has weakened. Grassroots mobilisation has suffered.
The party in the state is witnessing serious internal unrest. Decision-making has been disrupted. Efforts to consolidate the cadre base ahead of the polls have been hampered.
One key faction is centred around Assam Congress president Gauras Gogoi, who has been tasked by the central leadership with steering the party into the elections.
However, he is said to be struggling to secure full confidence from sections of the state unit. Differences over strategy and organisational matters have laid bare internal fault lines.
According to reports, Gogoi has not succeeded in building a strong connect with grassroots workers and voters. Dissatisfaction is apparent at various levels. The leadership, it was suggested, appears disconnected from workers on the ground.
Another influential group is believed to revolve around senior leader and Leader of Opposition in the Assam Legislative Assembly, Debabrata Saikia. Insiders maintained that Gogoi and Saikia have differed on key strategic and organisational issues. This has complicated efforts to evolve a unified approach.
Members aligned with the Saikia camp are said to have questioned Gogoi’s leadership and organisational control. Some have privately expressed doubts about his ability to unify the party and energise its cadre. Persistent disagreements have affected the smooth functioning of the state unit at a time when cohesion is vital.
Adding to the strain is the resignation of Sanju Boruah, Vice Chairman of the Assam Congress Campaign Committee, who stepped down earlier this week.
His exit is regarded as another setback. In his resignation, Boruah raised serious concerns about the functioning of the state leadership and alleged a lack of discipline in the organisation under Gogoi.
The leadership question has gained further weight after the high command assigned senior leader Bhupen Bora the responsibility of handling alliance negotiations. The move comes even as the party grapples with internal discord and shifting equations ahead of the Assembly elections.
Also Read: Assam BJP Video Featuring CM With Rifle Sparks Opposition Outrage, Post Deleted https://www.vibesofindia.com/assam-bjp-video-featuring-cm-with-rifle-sparks-opposition-outrage-post-deleted/
