Former Assam Congress president Bhupen Kumar Borah on Sunday formally joined the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), marking a significant political shift ahead of the upcoming state Assembly elections.
Borah was inducted into the party in the presence of Assam BJP president Dilip Saikia during a function held at the party’s state headquarters, Vajpayee Bhawan, in Guwahati. Former Congress worker Sanju Bora also joined the BJP at the same event.
The development comes days after Borah resigned from the Indian National Congress on February 16, triggering intense efforts by senior party leaders to persuade him to reconsider his decision.
Talking to media persons later, Borah predicted that the self-respecting Assamese would leave the Congress and join the BJP. “The Congress has 700 ticket aspirants and 100 of them will get the chance to contest the Assembly elections. I won’t say the remaining 600 others will come to the BJP but the self-respecting Assamese of Rajiv Bhawan (state Congress headquarters) will come to Vajpayee Bhawan."
He claimed that their condition in the Congress was that of Mahabharata’s Karna before he died.
“I have moved away from Duryodhana, but the Karnas are still there. They will slowly get to know who will be on which side in the battle of Mahabharata. I want to tell the Karnas of Rajiv Bhawan that the result of this battle has been already decided,” he further stated referring to Assam polls expected in April.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said Borah had a major contribution in the Congress were he served for nearly 33 years. “He will begin a new life from today. I congratulate him."
According to party sources, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi personally spoke with Borah following his resignation, while several state leaders visited his residence in an attempt to retain him.
Although Borah initially sought time to rethink his move, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited his residence the following day and publicly announced that the former Congress leader would join the BJP on February 22, effectively confirming speculation about his political switch.
Borah’s entry into the BJP is being viewed as politically important ahead of elections to the 126-member Assam Legislative Assembly, which are expected to be held in March–April.