“I Will Carry Bhupen Borah on My Shoulders, Won’t Let Him Leave Opposition,” Says Akhil Gogoi

Guwahati: Raijor Dal chief and Sibsagar MLA Akhil Gogoi on Monday made a strong political pitch to prevent former Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Bhupen Borah from quitting the opposition camp, calling him a key pillar of opposition unity in Assam.

“A man like Bhupen Borah is the backbone of opposition unity. I will not allow him to leave the opposition camp. If necessary, I will carry him on my shoulders and keep him with us,” Akhil Gogoi said, addressing the media.

He went a step further, offering Bhupen Borah the presidency of the Raijor Dal if the Congress fails to give him due respect.

“If Congress cannot keep him with dignity, I will make him the president of Raijor Dal. Even if he does not stay in Congress, I will make him the strongest opposition leader,” Gogoi said.

Gogoi also clarified that reports suggesting Bhupen Borah may join the BJP were false.

“Do not spread fake news that Bhupen Borah will join the BJP. That will never happen,” he asserted.

He criticised Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s past political predictions, saying many of them have failed.

“He had claimed oil pipelines in Gujarat carried Muslim blood. He had promised to resign if he could not prove Gaurav Gogoi’s Pakistan links and said he would quit politics in 2021. All his future predictions collapsed,” Gogoi remarked.

Opposition Alliance Talks and Political Maneuvering

Akhil Gogoi emphasised the importance of opposition unity and said Bhupen Borah’s role was crucial.

“Bhupen Borah must be kept in Congress with respect. If Congress cannot do that, I will make him the president of Raijor Dal,” he reiterated.

He said senior opposition leaders, including CPI (M) MLA Manoranjan Talukdar, Congress Legislature Party leader Debabrata Saikia and Jakir Hussain Sikdar, visited Bhupen Borah’s residence to persuade him.

“We will convince Bhupen Borah. For alliance politics, we need him. Even if we have to persuade him forcefully, he must stay in Congress. Opposition unity started during his time,” Gogoi said.

Gogoi also revealed major political developments in Assam’s opposition and ruling parties.

“Two BJP MLAs from Upper Assam are in touch with us. Once the alliance with Congress is finalised, they will join Raijor Dal. One AGP MLA is also planning to join us. Five AIUDF MLAs have contacted us as well, but we have not taken a decision yet,” he said.

He further claimed that Raijor Dal could bring even ten AIUDF MLAs if it wanted.

“If we wish, ten AIUDF MLAs can join Raijor Dal today,” he stated.

Talking about seat-sharing for upcoming elections, Gogoi said:

“Out of the 15 seats we demanded, Congress has already given us 12. Three more are under discussion. Our list has been appreciated by Gaurav Gogoi.”

He expressed confidence in specific constituencies.

“Abdur Rashid Mondal and Sherman Ali cannot be defeated by any candidate in the world. Those two seats are already ours,” he claimed.

He also revealed that an AGP MLA is undecided about his political future and ticket.

“The AGP MLA still asks me whether he will get a ticket or not. He is confused now,” Gogoi said.

Sharp Attack on BJP and Chief Minister

Akhil Gogoi launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

“Bhupen Borah cannot go to BJP. If he does, I will go to his house and drag him back,” he said.

He mocked the Chief Minister for trying to poach opposition leaders.

“Is Himanta Biswa Sarma a beggar that he keeps searching for people from other parties? I will call the Chief Minister and tell him to take care of his own party members and stop eyeing leaders from our small party,” Gogoi said.

He claimed the BJP government is losing ground.

“Himanta Biswa Sarma is not strong; he is afraid. This government has no ground under its feet anymore, and people have realised it,” he said.

He also commented on BJP’s internal issues, noting that even former Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal’s image is missing from BJP hoardings.

“In Dibrugarh, even in his hometown, there are no hoardings with Sonowal’s photo. Himanta Biswa Sarma once said corruption happened during Sonowal’s tenure,” Gogoi added.

Bhupen Borah’s Resignation and Emotional Statement

Earlier, former APCC president Bhupen Borah had removed Congress from his X (formerly Twitter) profile and submitted a three-page resignation letter to the All India Congress Committee (AICC), citing dissatisfaction with recent developments.

Bhupen Borah later confirmed that the high command had not accepted his resignation yet and that he had spoken to Rahul Gandhi for 15 minutes.

“I have been with Congress for 32 years. I joined the party after hearing stories of Congress from my grandfather. I have been disturbed for a long time. The high command has informed me about the resignation letter. I have asked for some time. I will announce my decision after discussing with my family, either tonight or tomorrow,” he said.

He also said his resignation letter has not been made public and stressed that he has never compromised on self-respect.

“I have never compromised on my self-respect,” Borah stated.

Congress Leadership Responds

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi said he had a three-hour discussion with Bhupen Borah and appealed to him to withdraw his resignation.

“Bhupen Borah is our strength. He is a strong voice against anti-people forces in Assam. Congress is in his DNA. If he was hurt by any of our decisions unknowingly, I apologise as a younger brother. I am still learning politics and mistakes can happen,” Gogoi said.

He added that Bhupen Borah had not yet confirmed whether he would withdraw the resignation and that the final decision would be taken after consulting his family.

Also Read: ‘Not Yet,’ Says Bhupen Borahh After Congress Claims He Took Back Resignation