GUWAHATI: Former Assam Congress president Bhupen Kumar Borah resigned from the party on Monday, dealing a body blow to the party ahead of Assembly elections expected in April.
Borah, who sent his resignation letter to party’s central leadership, took the decision following differences with party’s state leadership.
“I sent my resignation letter to our central leadership at around 8 am today. I don’t want to say much on this but it is a matter of self-dignity,” Borah told media persons when he was asked about his grievances.
He stated that he had apprised the central leadership about how the party was being led in Assam. He indicated that the state leadership failed to make the right decisions even on small matters.
“I have apprised the central leadership that if the party is led this way, its future will be uncertain. Everybody, including our alliance partners, knows what is happening in the party and how it is being led,” Borah said.
He made it clear that he was not going to quit politics. He avoided a direct reply on whether he would join ruling BJP or another party as is now being speculated. “I will let you know the truth,” he said.
His sudden resignation has sent the Congress into a tizzy. The party is trying to persuade him to withdraw his resignation. When reports last came in, state Congress president Gaurav Gogoi and leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia were at his house.
“Even last night, he was with us. There was no problem at all. We don’t know what happened suddenly,” a Congress leader said wishing not to be named.
Last week, the central leadership of the Congress reportedly relieved Gogoi of alliance coordination duties and entrusted the responsibility to Borah. The Congress is trying hard for a grand alliance of opposition parties to defeat the BJP.
A former MLA, Borah earlier served as a spokesperson of Assam Congress and a secretary of All India Congress Committee. He had donned the mantle of Assam Congress chief in 2021.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said Borah was the last Hindu leader in the Assam Congress without a family background – whose father or mother did not occupy the post of MLA or minister.
“His resignation carries a symbolic message that in the Congress, no one from a normal family can prosper. He has accused the Congress, particularly an MP from Dhubri, of doing appeasement politics. He also alleged that Gaurav Gogoi could not clarify his Pakistan visit,” Sarma told media persons.
“I welcome the resignation. However, he has not contacted us for any joining programme. I will visit his house tomorrow evening as courtesy. We are ready to welcome him and give him a safe seat from the BJP’s perspective,” he added.