Assam marked the 100th birth anniversary of its first non-Congress Chief Minister, Golap Borbora, with statewide tributes on Friday, led by Union Home Minister Amit Shah at a grand ceremony at Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra in Guwahati. A socialist, freedom fighter, and Rajya Sabha member (1968–1974), Borbora’s 18-month tenure from March 12, 1978, to September 4, 1979, under the Janata Party government left a lasting impact through pro-poor reforms and a bold stance against illegal immigration.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, addressing the event, hailed Borbora as a “beacon of courage and simplicity” whose ideals continue to inspire. “His dedication to Assam’s people and ethical leadership guide our vision for progress,” Sarma posted on X. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal praised Borbora’s resistance to the 1975 Emergency, during which he endured 19 months in Tihar Jail, and his fight against corruption and dynastic politics. “His people-centric policies remain a model for governance,” Sonowal said.

Borbora’s son, Pankaj Borbora, a BJP spokesperson, expressed gratitude to the state government for the year-long celebration, approved by the Assam Cabinet in March 2025. He highlighted his father’s pioneering Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls before the 1978 Mangaldai by-election, which exposed illegal Bangladeshi immigration. “Had his plan for 60 more constituencies been implemented, the issue might have been contained,” Pankaj told PTI. Borbora’s reforms included waiving farmers’ loans, abolishing school and hospital fees, and freeing food-grain movement, benefiting thousands.

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The centenary features memorial lectures, cultural programs, and a scholarship by the College Students Welfare Committee, led by Borbora’s grandson, Abhinav. A state-level institution will be named after him, with a Cabinet subcommittee overseeing events. Shah’s presence, alongside Sarma, Sonowal, and 20,000 NDA panchayat representatives, underscores the BJP’s focus on Borbora’s legacy as a symbol of regional pride ahead of the 2026 elections. His efforts to curb illegal immigration and liquor monopolies in tea gardens, though cut short, remain relevant, Pankaj noted.

Born in Golaghat in 1926, Borbora, a Calcutta University alumnus, led peasant and trade union movements, facing multiple imprisonments. His death in 2006 at age 83 marked the end of a storied career. As Assam reflects on his contributions, leaders urged the youth to embrace his vision of justice and integrity.

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