Sarma says BJP ready to offer ‘safe seat’; hints at more Congress resignations ahead of 2026 polls
Guwahati, Feb 16: The resignation of former APCC president Bhupen Borah from the Congress has sparked a major political storm in Assam, with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma calling it a “symbolic message” about the party’s internal structure and future direction.
Addressing reporters on Monday, Sarma said Borah was “the last Hindu leader in the Assam Congress without a family political background.”
“His father or mother never occupied the post of MLA or minister in the Congress. His resignation carries a symbolic message that in Congress, no one from a normal family can prosper,” Sarma said.
Borah had earlier confirmed that he submitted his resignation to AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, but declined to publicly spell out his reasons, stating that discussions with the party high command were still ongoing.
While political speculation has intensified over a possible shift to the BJP, Borah clarified that no formal contact has been made regarding joining the ruling party.
Sarma echoed this, saying: “I welcome the resignation. However, he has not contacted us for any joining programme.
Tomorrow I will visit his house as a courtesy.”
The Chief Minister said the BJP is ready to welcome Borah and even offer him a “safe seat,” but added that induction of new entrants would depend on political timing and organisational planning.
“With most winnable seats already having strong candidates, there is limited vacancy,” Sarma noted, referring to seat-sharing arrangements and the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections as factors requiring strategic assessment.
Sarma further claimed that Borah had raised concerns about alleged appeasement politics within Congress, particularly targeting an MP from Dhubri. He also referred to criticism within the party regarding MP Gaurav Gogoi and his alleged inability to clarify his stand on a Pakistan visit.
In a sharp escalation, Sarma said the government possesses additional information regarding alleged links and travel to Pakistan involving Congress leaders, which cannot be disclosed due to the Official Secrets Act. He added that further material would be shared with the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The Chief Minister indicated that Borah’s resignation may not be an isolated development.
He claimed that several Congress MLAs — across communities — are in a queue to join the BJP or other parties, though immediate inductions are not being encouraged due to the Rajya Sabha elections and electoral calculations.
Sarma also criticised Congress’ ticket selection process, alleging that three observers had been tasked with prioritising candidates from the minority community even in constituencies with overwhelming Hindu populations — a claim likely to further intensify political debate in the state.
Borah’s exit has significantly raised the political temperature in Assam ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. The development comes amid reported internal differences over alliances, organisational strategy, and leadership direction within the Congress.
With the BJP openly signalling readiness to accommodate him — but cautiously — Borah’s next move could reshape Assam’s political equations in the months leading up to the high-stakes Assembly battle.
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