Guwahati, Feb 18: Former Assam Pradesh Congress Committee chief Bhupen Kumar Borah has detailed the circumstances that led to his departure from the Indian National Congress after 32 years, describing a period marked by humiliation, neglect and internal power shifts before he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Borah said he had devoted over three decades to the Congress but felt his loyalty and sacrifices went unrecognised. Recalling an incident at a public event attended by Rahul Gandhi, he said he sustained a nose injury and was left bleeding in front of senior leaders. He described the episode as symbolic of deeper grievances within the party.
About a month before stepping down, Borah wrote to current APCC president Gaurav Gogoi, warning that he would address the media if what he termed continued humiliation did not stop. A copy of the letter was also sent to Congress Legislature Party leader Jitendra Singh, but Borah said he received no response.
“I felt I was not needed and resigned,” he said. Although Rahul Gandhi later contacted him and spoke about their association since 2007, Borah claimed that the concerns raised in his resignation letter were not addressed during the conversation.
He was sharply critical of the party’s organisational structure in Assam, alleging that Gogoi functions largely as a public face without effective control. According to Borah, the real influence within the state unit lies with Dhubri MP Rakibul Hussain, whom he described as “the sole and base of the party”.
Borah’s remarks come at a time when the Congress is attempting to consolidate its position in Assam ahead of upcoming electoral contests. His departure, coupled with public criticism of internal factionalism, is expected to add to the party’s challenges.
He has since joined the BJP after Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited him at his residence and reportedly held discussions before his formal induction.
