Borah’s Next Move Unclear, Letter Reveals Deep Rift, Power Struggles and Leadership Crisis in Assam Congress

GUWAHATI: While Bhupen Kumar Borah’s resignation from the Indian National Congress has already become public, the internal resignation letter accessed by DY365 reveals the full extent of the political, organisational and personal factors that compelled the former Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president to walk away from the party.

The letter, addressed to AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, reads as a detailed indictment of the Congress high command, the current Assam Congress leadership, and internal power structures that Borah believes have collectively pushed the party towards political decline.

However, confusion prevailed within the Assam Congress on Monday after senior leader and former APCC chief Bhupen Borah stepped down from the party, with conflicting claims emerging over whether he had withdrawn his resignation following conversations with the Congress high command. Congress leaders initially indicated that Borah had reconsidered his decision after speaking to senior leader Rahul Gandhi over the phone. The party’s Assam in-charge Jitendra Singh said Borah’s resignation had not been accepted and suggested that the former state chief had agreed to remain with the organisation after discussions with the leadership.

Borah, however, contradicted these assertions, stating that he had not withdrawn his resignation and needed more time to decide his next course of action. He indicated that a final decision would likely be taken later in the day.

“A moment of profound adversity”

Earlier in the letter, Borah begins by recalling the circumstances under which he assumed charge of the APCC, saying:

“I assumed the office of APCC President at a moment of profound adversity, when our party stood diminished by a second consecutive electoral setback in the Assembly elections and the morale of our workers had sunk to a disheartening nadir.”

He said he worked to rebuild the organisation:

“In those testing circumstances, I laboured to restore coherence to the organisation, to rebuild from the fragments of discouragement, and to rekindle the spirit of our cadre through tireless tours across the length and breadth of the state.”

Strategic break from AIUDF and alliance building

Borah detailed his political strategy to distance Congress from AIUDF:

“I adopted a resolute political posture toward the AIUDF, severing our association with them and determining that we should maintain a principled distance, as part of a deliberate strategy to blunt the polarising narrative cultivated by the BJP.”

He said he built a broad anti-BJP alliance:

“During the Bye-elections that followed, as PCC President, I took the initiative to forge a broad alliance of nearly all political formations opposed to the BJP.”

He claimed the strategy began yielding results:

“Following our decisive disengagement from the AIUDF, the electorate of Upper Assam responded with renewed confidence… The outcome was heartening. We secured three seats and were defeated in Karimganj only by a narrow margin.”

Ticket controversy and alliance collapse

Borah said the alliance collapsed after a controversial candidate was fielded in Behali:

“It was therefore profoundly disconcerting when Gaurav Gogoi introduced into the electoral fray an individual who had previously sought the BJP nomination from Behali LAC, and who was accorded the INC ticket even before formally joining our ranks.”

He said this decision destroyed the alliance:

“This development wounded the sensibilities of our alliance partners and precipitated the collapse of the coalition, compelling me to relinquish the Chairmanship of the Alliance.”

He also referred to allegations of financial inducements:

“Allegations subsequently circulated that considerable pecuniary inducements had influenced the decision. A BJP cabinet minister and a senior editor publicly alluded to such claims.”

“I urged Gogoi to vindicate his honour through legal recourse, yet no such action ensued.”

Unprecedented AICC interference

Borah accused the AICC of heavy interference in organisational appointments:

“I must also place on record that I have never witnessed interference of such magnitude by an AICC General Secretary and I/C AICC Secretaries in the appointment of DCC and BCC Presidents, while I was the PCC President.”

“Many decisions were executed without my concurrence. Nevertheless, subordinating personal sentiment to organisational cohesion, I continued to discharge my responsibilities in a spirit of collegiality and restraint.”

Panchayat elections and sidelining of APCC

He revealed that APCC leadership had no control over Panchayat candidate selection:

“In the Panchayat elections, candidate selection was entrusted directly to the DCC Presidents, rendering the APCC leadership, including me the then PCC President, largely ornamental in that process.”

“This occurred under explicit direction from the AICC, as personally conveyed by the AICC General Secretary duo, Sri Jitendra Singh ji and Syed Naseer Hussain.”

He added:

“Within party circles it was widely perceived that Sri Rakibul Hussain exercised substantial influence in these deliberations.”

Blamed for defeat and removed from office

Borah said he was blamed despite lacking authority:

“It is therefore a matter of poignant irony that I was singularly held to account by the High Command for the disappointing performance in those elections, despite being denied any meaningful supervisory role.”

He said he was removed after a signature campaign:

“I was unceremoniously relieved of office following a signature campaign led by Sri Hussain that reached the High Command.”

He highlighted that he was denied the opportunity to lead the party into Assembly elections:

“Conventionally, an APCC President is afforded the opportunity to lead the party into an Assembly election. I alone was deprived of that honour without discernible fault.”

Marginalisation under new leadership

Despite welcoming Gaurav Gogoi, Borah said he was sidelined:

“Even then, I welcomed Gaurav Gogoi with courtesy and extended my fullest cooperation. Yet my loyalty and discipline were met with disregard.”

“Since relinquishing the post of PCC President, I have experienced a steady diminution of responsibility.”

“I find myself neither consulted on substantive party matters nor accorded the regard befitting a senior colleague.”

He added:

“Personal reversals I can withstand, but self respect and dignity are not currencies with which I may barter.”

Pakistan visit allegations and credibility crisis

One of the most politically sensitive sections concerns allegations against Gaurav Gogoi:

“Moreover, the gravest injury has arisen from the serious allegations levelled by the BJP against APCC President Gaurav Gogoi regarding his visits to Pakistan.”

“The opaque circumstances surrounding those visits, and the air of reticence that has since prevailed, have inevitably placed him under scrutiny.”

He said he urged clarity:

“I had urged that he address the matter forthrightly and dispel any doubts.”

“Instead, the hesitation and equivocation have only deepened public misgivings.”

He warned:

“In politics, perception often carries as much weight as reality, and silence rarely serves as an adequate defence.”

He said the party’s image suffered:

“The image of the Congress party stands gravely impaired… ambiguity is seldom benign, and silence is invariably politically injurious.”

Rakibul Hussain influence and majority perception

Borah alleged the party is being steered by Rakibul Hussain:

“Compounding this predicament is the prevailing perception in Assam that the state unit of the Congress is being steered under the influence of Shri Rockybul Hussain.”

He said this has alienated the majority community:

“A leadership arrangement that has not found resonance with a substantial section of the majority community in Upper Assam.”

He added:

“His apparent connivance with Shri Jitendra Singh has further propelled the party towards calamity, pushing it to the brink of disaster and leading it ominously towards political doom.”

Workers adrift, alliances alienated

Borah warned of organisational collapse:

“Today, party workers find themselves adrift, uncertain of direction, while alliance partners perceive neglect and discourtesy.”

Personal anguish and final resignation

He said he felt marginalised:

“I do not articulate these reflections in a spirit of rancour, but in genuine perplexity as to why I appear to have been subjected to marginalisation.”

He appealed to the High Command:

“It is my earnest belief that the High Command, in its wisdom, must uphold equity and impartiality in its dealings with all.”

Finally, he resigned:

“In these circumstances, and with a heavy heart, I find it no longer possible to continue as a member of the party. Hence I tender my resignation from the Primary membership of INC with immediate effect.”

Political Significance

It may be mentioned that Borah’s letter lays bare a deep internal schism in Assam Congress—touching on leadership legitimacy, central interference, alliance politics, community perception, and allegations with national security undertones. 

“BJP Doors Open for Him,” Says Assam CM After Bhupen Borah Quits Congress

Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday delivered a sharp political response to the resignation of senior Congress leader Bhupen Borah, indicating that the BJP would welcome him if he chose to cross over and asserting that the party remains open to leaders seeking a new political platform.

Taking the lead in the unfolding political development, the Chief Minister criticised the Congress’ internal structure and functioning, claiming that leaders emerging from modest socio-economic backgrounds often find it difficult to sustain themselves within the party. He also questioned recent organisational decisions, including campaign planning and candidate selection, suggesting these had contributed to growing discontent.

The Chief Minister said he intends to meet Borah at his residence on February 17 to understand his next steps. He conveyed that Borah has not yet initiated any communication with the BJP but maintained that the party would be willing to engage with him if he shows interest in joining, and could support his future political journey.

CM Sarma also made projections about the trajectory of several senior Congress leaders, including Gaurav Gogoi, Rakibul Hussain, Pradyut Bordoloi and Debabrata Saikia. He alleged that internal rivalries within the party were intensifying and suggested that more exits could take place before the next Lok Sabha election cycle.

Also Read: Gaurav Gogoi Rips Into Himanta, Says Congress Rising Across Assam