I had urged AICC to file defamation case in party’s interest: Bhupen Borah on Gaurav Gogoi's alleged Pakistan link

Speaking on the ongoing political row over Congress MP and Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Gaurav Gogoi’s alleged Pakistan connection, newly joined BJP leader Bhupen Borah on February 22 said that during the panchayat elections, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had repeatedly raised the issue at public meetings.

Borah claimed that he had written to the All India Congress Committee (AICC) then, urging the party to file a defamation case in what he described as the “greater interest of the Congress.” Borah claimed that no such legal action was taken, and the Congress subsequently suffered defeat in the panchayat polls.

“What the court decides is not my concern. What concerns me is what the people of Assam decide,” Borah said, indicating that public perception would ultimately shape the political narrative.

Explaining his decision to join the BJP after a 32-year-long association with the Congress, Borah described the current state of the party in Assam as “alarming.” He said his family had deep-rooted ties with the Congress, but he could no longer continue in the organisation under its present leadership and direction.

He cited a series of instances to underline what he termed as ideological and organisational drift. Referring to Congress MLA Sherman Ali Ahmed, Borah said the legislator had allegedly called the martyrs of the Assam Movement “dacoits,” following which he had taken immediate action to expel him from the party.

Borah further alleged that another Congress MLA had made controversial remarks against priests, yet his name had been recommended as a candidate for the upcoming Assembly elections from Jaleshwar. In another instance, Borah claimed that a Congress spokesperson had stated that if the party came to power under Gogoi’s leadership, 45 Assembly seats would be reserved for Muslims — a statement he suggested was politically damaging.

The former APCC chief also criticised organisational appointments made after his removal from the state unit’s top post. He alleged that after he was replaced, Gogoi appointed Aman Wadud as the party’s social media head in Assam.

Borah claimed that Wadud had authored a book asserting that Assamese people are not indigenous — a position Borah said was unacceptable to him. “How can I work with such a team?” he asked.