‘Not Yet,’ Says Bhupen Borah After Congress Claims He Took Back Resignation

Guwahati: 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and former APCC chief Bhupen Borah stepped down from the party, with conflicting claims emerging over whether he had withdrawn his resignation following a conversation with the Congress high command.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.

However, Borah himself contradicted these assertions, stating that he had not withdrawn his resignation and needed more time to decide his next course of action.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.

Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Gaurav Gogoi, who visited Borah’s residence in Guwahati following the development, said the leadership had urged him to reconsider his move. According to Gogoi, Borah had spoken to Rahul Gandhi and was reflecting on the request made by party leaders.

Earlier in the day, Borah submitted his resignation to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, expressing dissatisfaction with his position in the state unit. He reportedly felt sidelined and believed his contributions were not being adequately recognised by the party leadership.

Borah served as president of the Assam Congress from 2021 to 2025 before being replaced by Gaurav Gogoi last year. A two-time MLA, he has remained a prominent face of the party in the state.

The political development also drew a swift reaction from Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who signalled that the BJP would be open to Borah if he chose to change sides. Sarma said the party could explore electoral opportunities for him if he decided to join and indicated he planned to meet Borah to discuss his future.

The Chief Minister said Borah had not yet reached out to him or the BJP and clarified that there was no direct or indirect communication at present. He added that he intended to visit Borah personally to express support during what he described as a difficult phase.

Sarma also used the moment to criticise the Congress, alleging that leaders without political lineage struggle to grow within the party. Drawing a comparison with his own journey, he said he came from a middle-class background and rose within the BJP, contrasting it with what he described as the Congress’ preference for entrenched political families.

Recalling their political past, Sarma noted that both he and Borah had joined the Congress around the same time, though he left the party after more than two decades while Borah remained longer.

The Chief Minister further claimed that Borah’s resignation letter referred to internal ideological concerns and dissatisfaction with certain political positions taken by the party leadership.

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