Former Assam Congress chief Bhupen Kumar Borah on Saturday announced that he will join the Bharatiya Janata Party on February 22, ending his 32-year association with the Indian National Congress, in a move that comes months before the Assembly elections in the state.In a statement posted on social media, Borah said the decision was not easy but was taken with conviction and a renewed commitment to serve the people. His announcement came days after Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had publicly said that Borah would join the BJP on February 22.The development is being seen as politically significant as Assam prepares for Assembly elections along with West Bengal, Kerala and Tamil Nadu in the coming months.Borah indicated that internal differences within the Congress contributed to his exit. He said he had initiated discussions with multiple parties, but on February 11, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi asked him to include AIUDF leader Rakibul Hussain in the talks. Borah claimed that despite his efforts, he was later accused by Gogoi on February 13 of creating misunderstandings in front of others.He said he approached Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi over the issue, stating that he found the situation humiliating, but did not receive any response.The Congress, however, alleged that the defection was influenced by the ruling BJP. Addressing a press conference, Gogoi said there had been speculation about Borah’s proximity to Sarma and claimed the latest development had confirmed those concerns.He also raised questions about how information from internal Congress meetings was reaching individuals close to the Chief Minister, and said Borah’s immediate decision to join the BJP after resigning pointed to a pre-determined move. Gogoi further referred to concerns over large tracts of land being linked to a single family, saying such issues were being discussed across the state.Despite the development, Gogoi said the Congress would continue its campaign in Assam and challenge the BJP leadership in the elections.
