Congress Rift Deepens in Assam as Bhupen Borah’s BJP Switch Triggers Dissent in Samaguri

Guwahati: Political turmoil is intensifying within the Assam Pradesh Congress Commitee (APCC) as former state party president Bhupen Borah’s impending switch to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has triggered open dissent and rebellion in the Assam's Samaguri constituency in Nagaon.

Following confirmation that Borah will formally join the BJP on February 22 in Guwahati, several Congress workers in Samaguri expressed dissatisfaction with the party’s leadership and internal dynamics. Some party workers claimed they were disillusioned with the functioning of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) and said they preferred to remain aligned with the APCC leadership rather than follow Borah’s political trajectory.

Opposition to Tanzil Hussain’s Candidature

In a rare public show of internal conflict, a group of Congress workers from Samaguri openly opposed the candidature of Tanzil Hussain, son of MP Rakibul Hussain, and submitted a request to Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi to nominate a “more deserving candidate” from among six aspirants for the constituency.

Political observers describe the development as a “significant internal rebellion” within the Congress ranks in Samaguri, highlighting growing factionalism ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.

Abdul Khaleque’s Sharp Attack on BJP

Senior Congress leader and former Barpeta MP Abdul Khaleque, speaking in Barpeta Road, launched a scathing attack on the BJP, questioning the ideological identity of the ruling party.

“There is such a shortage of BJP leaders in the BJP today that one can hardly find any real BJP workers. Even in the RSS, you cannot find the RSS anymore,” Khaleque said.
“In the BJP, you will either find Congress leaders or people from AGP. Where have the original BJP leaders disappeared?” he asked.

Commenting on Bhupen Borah’s defection, Khaleque said:

“If Bhupen Borah truly believes in Congress ideology, he can form his own party or join any secular party. But he cannot go to the BJP. Someone who carries Congress in their soul can never join the BJP.”

He added that Congress remains inclusive and secular:

“Congress does not belong to any single religion. People from all religions can be part of the party.”

Khaleque also accused Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of politicising religion:

“The Chief Minister speaks about Hindu and Sanatan dharma, but he is insulting Hinduism itself. Intolerance is not part of Hindu philosophy. Himanta Biswa Sarma and Yogi Adityanath represent intolerance. Congress is against fake Hindus like them, not against Hinduism.”

Congress Exodus in Dibrugarh

Meanwhile, the Congress faced a major setback in Dibrugarh, where over a thousand Congress workers joined the BJP at a joining programme held at the district BJP office.

The induction programme was attended by state in-charge Harish Dwivedi, organisational secretary Rabindra Raju, state general secretary Rituparna Barua, Dibrugarh district BJP president Dulal Bora, and MLAs Terash Gowala and Binod Hazarika.
Mass defections were reported from Khowang and Duliajan, led by Asim Hazarika and Indra Gogoi respectively.

Bhupen Borah’s BJP Joining Confirmed

Earlier, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed on Tuesday that Bhupen Borah will officially join the BJP on February 22 in Guwahati. Sarma said he met Borah at his residence for about one hour and 25 minutes, describing the meeting as largely informal.

“I was happy to meet my former colleague after a long time,” Sarma told reporters, adding that the interaction was friendly and informal.

Also Read: BREAKING: Bhupen Borah to Join BJP on Feb 22, Says Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma