NEW DELHI: Calling Himanta Biswa Sarma “Assam’s Jinnah”, Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi played down the exit of former state Congress chief Bhupen Borah from the party ahead of the assembly polls.Speaking at a press conference in Guwahati on Wednesday, Gogoi questioned Borah’s decision to quit the Congress and join the BJP on February 22.
On Borah’s resignation, Gogoi said, “There were many rumours regarding the close relationship between Himanta Biswa Sarma and Bhupen Bora. We tried our best not to believe these rumours and speculation. We always wondered as to how the information relating to confidential meetings was known to a particular journalist close to Himanta Biswa Sarma. These rumours have come out to be true…A day after resigning from Congress, Bhupen Borah had no qualms about joining the BJP and surrendering to Himanta Biswa Sarma.”He added, “It also shows Himanta Biswa Sarma’s desperation that today the entire state is wondering as to how 4000 acres of land belong to one family. Congress party, through its various programs, has been successful in uncovering the real estate empire of Himanta Biswa Sarma. This is why they have been forced to take this decision to distract the public. This will not affect the Congress party’s campaign. We will go on and continue the fight and remove Himanta Biswa Sarma from the seat of power…” Gogoi also pointed to what he called the chief minister’s shifting stance. “A few days ago, Himanta Biswa Sarma criticised Bhupen Bora for his vulgar actions in public when he was interacting with a leader of the Mahila Congress. There is an inquiry against Bhupen Bora by the Women’s Commission. Now, Himanta Biswa Sarma feels Bhupen Bora is the most upright Hindu neta…”Earlier, Borah, who served as Assam Congress president from 2021 to 2025, defended his decision, saying, “I gave 32 years to Congress… I suffered nose injury, bleeding took place infront of Rahul Gandhi. I wrote a letter to Gaurav Gogoi a month ago, saying that I will address a press meet against you because I can’t tolerate such humiliation.”He continued, “The high command spoke to me. Rahul Gandhi reminded me of our relation since 2007, how he helped me, but no one spoke about the issues I mentioned in my resignation letter. Gaurav Gogoi has no control over the party, he is the face of the party as APCC president. Rakibul Hussain, who is MP from Dhubri. is the sole and base of the party.”Sarma, who met Borah at his Guwahati residence, claimed the Congress was “not a place for Hindus” and described Borah as the “last recognised Hindu leader” in the party without family antecedents. He said Borah’s move would have a “psychological impact” on Congress workers.
