Assam Cong neta ‘quits’; Gandhis as well as Himanta try to woo him | India News
GUWAHATI: Election Assam Congress campaign committee chairperson and former PCC president Bhupen Borah on Monday resigned due to “negligence”, sending the party brass scrambling to persuade him to put his decision on hold amid signs of an outburst ahead of national general secretary and MP Priyanka Gandhi’s scheduled visit.CM Himanta Sarma added to the Congress’ dismay by announcing that the BJP would keep its doors open for Borah, whom he plans to meet on Tuesday. They go back a long way, spending many years together in Congress.Rahul Gandhi joined the firefight, urging Borah to reconsider his decision. State Congress chief Gaurav Gogoi described Borah as a “pillar of strength and a true Congressman”, apologizing for “any wrong done to him”.Congress sources said Borah had sent his resignation letter to AICC president Mallikarjun Kharg, suggesting he felt alienated despite being formally tasked with forming the opposition alliance. Seat-sharing talks between the Congress and its allies have been delayed.“My old colleagues are at my house. My central leadership has reached out and given me some advice. I have sought time… Either today or tomorrow morning, I will meet Jitendra Singh (AICC’s Assam Manishi) and convey my final decision,” Borah told reporters after a three-hour meeting with a party delegation.Singh insisted that Borah had already withdrawn his resignation, while later clarifying that his family needed to be consulted.“I never disclosed what I wrote in my letter. I have two brothers, a sister and other family members with whom I need to discuss,” he said, adding that his brothers’ business had suffered due to their involvement in politics.Sarma suggested that Borah switch to the BJP, spelling out how he stood to gain. “We will give him (Borac) a chance to win the state election by giving him a safe seat that will be easy to win from.” Borah, a two-time MLA from Bihpuria, led the Assam Congress from 2021 to 2025 before succeeding Gaurav.
