Bhupen Borah Exits Congress as Assam Gears Up for Assembly Battle
Senior Assam leader Bhupen Borah resigns from Congress months before Assembly elections.
In a significant political development ahead of the 2026 Assam Assembly elections, senior Congress leader Bhupen Kumar Borah has formally resigned from the Indian National Congress, sending shockwaves through the state’s opposition ranks and intensifying scrutiny of internal party dynamics. His decision, communicated to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on February 16, reflects deepening dissatisfaction within the party at a critical juncture for its electoral prospects.
Borah, 55, who led the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) from 2021 until he was replaced by Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi in 2025, cited feelings of neglect and marginalisation by the state leadership as primary reasons for his exit. Party insiders said his resignation letter emphasised that he had been “ignored” and denied a meaningful role in key decision-making processes within the organisation.
A two-time legislator from the Bihpuria constituency, Borah has been a prominent figure in Assam’s Congress politics for decades. In recent weeks, he had been entrusted with negotiating an opposition alliance with regional parties such as the Raijor Dal and others — a strategic task ahead of the polls. However, insiders suggest differences over alliance strategy and internal leadership roles contributed to rising tensions.
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After submitting his resignation, Borah removed the “Congress” designation from his social media profile, signalling a clear break with the party. He has stated publicly that he has not received any formal offers from other political parties and that his decision does not signify an end to his political career, leaving open speculation on his next steps.
The exit has prompted sharp reactions from political rivals. A state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA claimed Borah’s departure could herald further defections, arguing that internal dissatisfaction in the Congress may drive more leaders away. Critics also leveraged the situation to highlight perceived organisational weaknesses within the opposition.
Borah’s resignation marks a potentially destabilising moment for the Congress in Assam, coming just weeks before the anticipated March-April 2026 elections. With the party already engaged in complex negotiations to consolidate opposition support, his departure may reshape the electoral landscape and challenge Congress’s bid to counter the incumbent government.
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