Himanta Biswa Sarma Confirms Bhupen Borah Will Join BJP On February 22 Before Assam Polls

Former Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Bhupen Borah is poised to switch sides, with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announcing on Tuesday that the veteran leader will formally enter the Bharatiya Janata Party on February 22. The development comes amid intense political activity in the state ahead of the Assembly elections scheduled later this year.

Sarma confirms date of induction

Sarma said Borah's decision followed a long period of dissatisfaction within the Congress and suggested the party leadership should have addressed the concerns that led to his departure after more than three decades of association.

The speculation around Borah's political future had grown after he resigned from the Congress on Monday and briefly rejoined within hours, triggering uncertainty about his next move. According to the chief minister, discussions will now be held to complete formalities, with state BJP president Dilip Saikia expected to meet Borah and finalise arrangements for his entry into the party.

Sarma also remarked that Borah would find the opportunity to pursue his political agenda within the BJP. He said the Congress failed to provide him with the required space and asserted that the move reflected wider issues within the party organisation.

Visit to Guwahati residence

A day after Borah submitted his resignation, Sarma visited the leader's residence in the Ghoramara area of Guwahati. According to reports, Borah's wife and son welcomed the chief minister with an aarti ceremony.

Following the meeting, Sarma reiterated that the BJP leadership would hold further discussions with Borah. He also made a pointed political comment, saying Borah's joining would demonstrate that the Congress was not a place for Hindus and added that the leader would receive a suitable platform in the BJP after years of struggle within his former party.

Political significance ahead of elections

The possible crossover is being viewed as a significant political shift in Assam. Borah has been a prominent Congress face in the state, and his exit comes at a sensitive moment as parties prepare for the upcoming Assembly polls.

Sarma maintained that the Congress leadership should have taken corrective measures earlier to prevent the situation. The BJP, meanwhile, appears keen to project the move as evidence of internal turmoil within its principal rival.

Borah's earlier conditions to reconsider resignation

Before meeting Sarma, Borah had indicated he was willing to reconsider his resignation under certain conditions involving senior Congress leaders Pradyut Bordoloi and Debabrata Saikia.

"Right now, I am not a member of any political party... I have asked the Congress's central and state leadership to speak with our two leaders, Nagaon MP Pradyut Bordoloi and Debabrata Saikia. They can collectively tell me on the same call to withdraw my resignation, and that it will remain APCC rather than become APCCR. The Congress I joined is no longer the APCC. It had become APCCR. Whenever the two of them call, I will withdraw my resignation right then," Borah was quoted as saying by news agency PTI earlier in the day.

With the February 22 date now announced, attention has shifted to how the Congress will respond and what impact the move may have on the electoral contest in Assam.