Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said Bhuepn Borah chose not to withdraw his resignation after discussions, finalising his move to the BJP.
BY PC Bureau
February 17, 2026: Senior Assam leader Bhupen Borah, who recently resigned from the Indian National Congress ahead of crucial state elections, will formally join the Bharatiya Janata Party on February 22, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed on Monday.
Speaking to reporters, Sarma said Borah had decided not to reconsider his resignation despite appeals from the Congress leadership. “Bhupen Borah has decided to stand by his resignation, and after our discussions, he has made up his mind to join the BJP on February 22,” the Chief Minister said, describing the move as a significant political development in the state.
Borah, who served as president of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee after his appointment in 2021, resigned from the party citing dissatisfaction and alleged marginalisation within the organisation. His exit came months after he was replaced by Gaurav Gogoi as the state unit chief in May last year. Although Borah was later assigned responsibility for coalition coordination, sources indicated that key decisions continued to be taken without his involvement, deepening his sense of exclusion.
According to Sarma, senior Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, made efforts to persuade Borah to remain in the party. However, following an hour-long meeting with the Chief Minister, Borah chose to proceed with his decision to leave the Congress and align with the BJP.
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Sources close to Borah said he felt humiliated and undervalued despite decades of service to the Congress. In earlier remarks, Borah had indicated that the lack of recognition and respect for his contributions played a key role in his decision to quit.
Drawing parallels with his own political journey, Sarma — who himself left the Congress to join the BJP in 2015 — said he understood Borah’s frustrations. He also criticised the Congress leadership, alleging that the party was unwilling to address internal grievances and lacked the maturity to retain senior leaders.
Borah’s entry into the BJP is expected to strengthen the ruling party’s position in Assam ahead of upcoming electoral contests, while dealing a setback to the Congress, which has already been grappling with internal divisions and leadership challenges in the state.
