Former Assam Congress chief Bhupen Borah joins BJP

Former Assam Congress president Bhupen Kumar Borah joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on February 22, weeks before the state heads into assembly elections.

 

He was inducted into the ruling party at a function held at its state headquarters, Vajpayee Bhawan, in the presence of Assam BJP president Dilip Saikia.

 

Borah’s move comes days after he submitted his resignation to Congress on February 16, triggering intense efforts by the party leadership to retain him. Senior state leaders visited his residence, and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi spoke to him over the phone. Although Borah had sought time to reconsider, political developments moved swiftly.

 

On February 17, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited Borah’s residence and publicly announced that he would join the BJP on February 22. The confirmation came with Sunday’s formal induction ceremony.

 

Sanju Bora, a former Congress worker, also joined the BJP at the same event.

 

Borah’s defection is significant as Assam prepares for elections to its 126-member Legislative Assembly, expected to be held in March–April.

 

His shift from leading the state Congress to aligning with the ruling party could alter political equations in several constituencies and intensify the contest between the BJP and the opposition alliance.