Bhupen Borah resignation: Will former Assam Congress chief stay with the party or look to new horizons?

Former Assam Congress President Bhupen Borah shook the party leadership on Monday morning with a resignation, a step which he attributed to the “question of dignity”. However, the latest reports from the state hint that Borah has taken back his resignation, though Borah himself is yet to confirm the reports.  

“I have not withdrawn my resignation yet,” he said at a press conference. I will talk to the family and make a final decision tonight or tomorrow morning. I have never  compromised on my dignity and self-esteem. I resigned because I had become insignificant on the party stage,” Borah said.

Borah was the president of the Assam Congress unit from 2021 to 2025, and was replaced by Gaurav Gogoi last year.
However, Congress leadership seem to be hopeful. Assam in-charge Bhanwar Jitendra Singh told media persons that Congress  president Mallikarjun Kharge has not accepted  Borah's resignation. "The party leadership, including Rahul Gandhi, held a long discussion with him. We have resolved this issue,” he told reporters on Monday afternoon.

However, the U-turn by Borah came after a closed-door meeting at his residence, which was attended by a few top leaders, including Gaurav Gogoi, Devbrat Shaikia and Pradyut Bardoloi.  No other Congress leaders were allowed to enter the special room where the meeting was being held.

However, early reports were that Borah was reluctant to call off the resignation, stating he had spent 32 years in the Congress and had taken the decision after much careful thought. “I didn’t make this decision for nothing. I will let you know the reasons behind my decision in due course,” he said, amid speculations that he could join the BJP.

However, the Congress leadership feels that Bora is an important member of the Congress family, and the differences of opinion could be resolved.

Borah rubbished the statement, claiming he was not going to join any political party. "It's not like I'm going to join any political party since I've resigned from the Congress,” Borah said. However, the BJP leadership has said that if Borah considered joining the BJP, he would be warmly welcomed.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma too reacted to Borah’s resignation, stating the doors of the BJP were open for Bhupen Borah. Sarma also said that if Borah joins the BJP, he would try to get him elected from a “safe seat”. Sarma said he will go to Borah's residence tomorrow evening and discuss his plans for the future.