Assam’s political landscape was thrown into turmoil as senior Congress figure Bhupen Kumar Borah tendered his resignation from the Indian National Congress ahead of the state’s Assembly elections, prompting urgent damage-control efforts by party leaders and sharp reactions from rival camps. Moments after submitting his resignation, Borah’s move sparked high-level interventions and confusion over his future, exposing fault lines within the party at a critical juncture for its electoral prospects. Borah, a veteran politician who led the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee from 2021 until he was succeeded by Gaurav Gogoi in 2025, cited deep dissatisfaction with internal party dynamics and a sense of marginalisation as reasons for stepping down. He reportedly sent his letter of resignation to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, framing the decision as rooted in concerns about his treatment and standing within the state unit.
The shock resignation prompted an immediate response from senior Congress leaders. Gaurav Gogoi, the party’s state unit president and a Member of Parliament, along with other Congress figures, visited Borah’s residence in Guwahati in an attempt to persuade him to reconsider, underscoring the high stakes for the party as it heads into a fiercely contested electoral battle. Party in-charge for Assam, Bhanwar Jitendra Singh, later confirmed that the resignation had not been accepted by the All India Congress Committee and that Borah had sought additional time to weigh his decision.
Gogoi, speaking during engagements with Borah, characterised him as an “asset” to the party and acknowledged efforts to address his concerns through extensive dialogue. Addressing reporters, Gogoi extended an olive branch, indicating that discussions had spanned around three hours, and offered a personal apology if any party action had caused hurt.
The uncertainty surrounding Borah’s status has become a flashpoint in Assam’s Congress unit at a time when organisational unity is vital. The party’s broader strategy in Assam has been focused on forging alliances under the United Opposition Forum to counter the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, with national figures such as Priyanka Gandhi scheduled to campaign in the state in the run-up to polling. Borah’s departure, whether final or not, threatens to undercut these efforts by signalling internal discord to both voters and potential allies.
Assam’s Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, a senior leader of the BJP, seized on the developments to critique the Congress’s internal cohesion. He described Borah’s move as symbolic of broader issues within the party and extended an open invitation for Borah to join the BJP, promising support in securing a “safe seat” if he chose to defect. Sarma maintained that doors remained open for leaders seeking a different political platform and suggested that more resignations could follow if the Congress failed to resolve its internal frictions.
Sarma also framed Borah as the “last Hindu leader” within Assam’s Congress without familial political lineage, implying that his exit would have deeper implications for the party’s social and electoral calculus. The Chief Minister’s comments, while politically charged, reflect BJP’s broader narrative around Congress’s organisational weaknesses in the northeastern state.
Within Congress ranks, Borah’s decision has been met with both concern and attempts to quell any further fallout. Central leadership figures, including Rahul Gandhi, engaged in conversations with Borah in an effort to assuage his grievances and retain his allegiance to the party. Discussions reportedly explored the roots of his disaffection, touching on perceived sidelining and the state unit’s internal power dynamics.
Observers note that Borah’s political career spans decades, having served two terms as a legislator and long involvement in Congress organisational roles. His roots in Assam’s political milieu are well established, making his potential departure all the more significant for a party striving to reclaim ground in a region dominated in recent elections by the BJP.
From the Congress perspective, leadership is attempting to manage the optics and organisational impact of the episode, emphasising that dialogue and internal consultation remain key to addressing grievances. The strategy underscores a commitment to unity and continuity ahead of a highly competitive election season, even as dissent and dissatisfaction bubble to the surface.