The brief and chaotic induction of Rejaul Karim Sarkar, former president of the All Assam Minorities Students’ Union (AAMSU), into the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) in January has sparked more than just a controversy. It has exposed the Congress party’s growing structural, ideological, and leadership crisis in Assam. What happened over just 60 hours was not merely a political misstep but a reflection of the internal struggle within the party. On one hand, the Congress is trying to consolidate minority votes, especially from Muslims in lower Assam districts, while on the other, it must reassure indigenous Assamese voters in the more politically sensitive Upper Assam. These conflicting priorities have left the party divided and vulnerable, handing the ruling BJP an easy opportunity to showcase Congress’s internal disarray.
Sarkar’s Remarks Ignite Backlash and Reveal Leadership Gaps
Sarkar’s induction on January 11 was a calculated move by APCC president Gaurav Gogoi to strengthen Congress’s appeal among minority communities ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. Sarkar, a young and influential student leader, seemed like the right choice to energize the party’s base in districts like Dhubri, Barpeta, and Goalpara. However, things quickly unraveled when Sarkar made public comments about “Bor Asom” or Greater Assam, and controversially suggested that culturally important districts like Sivasagar and Tinsukia could be “transformed” into areas like Dhubri. In a state where identity and migration are highly sensitive topics, these remarks were seen as threatening the indigenous Assamese identity. Protests erupted across Upper Assam, with civil society groups and political outfits fiercely condemning Sarkar’s statements. This public outcry underscored the fragile nature of Assam’s politics and the tightrope Congress is forced to walk.
Internal Rift and Leadership Crisis Deepen
The aftermath of Sarkar’s remarks revealed an even bigger problem inside the Congress. Senior leaders such as Debabrata Saikia, the Leader of Opposition, and Nagaon MP Pradyut Bordoloi openly distanced themselves from Sarkar and criticized his comments as irresponsible. This public contradiction of APCC president Gaurav Gogoi signaled a deeper leadership crisis and a lack of trust within the party’s ranks. The leadership’s inability to present a united front confused supporters and exposed serious gaps in internal communication and discipline. Sarkar resigned just three days after joining, accusing Saikia and Bordoloi of acting like “BJP agents,” which only intensified the internal discord. For Gogoi, this incident has become a referendum on his leadership style, highlighting perceived indecisiveness and poor strategic management. His choice to allow Sarkar to resign rather than taking firm disciplinary action invited criticism, including a sharp rebuke from Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who called Gogoi lacking the “courage to act.”
The Larger Implications for Congress Ahead of 2026 Elections
At its heart, this controversy highlights a fundamental tension within the Assam Congress. One faction, aligned with Gogoi, insists on aggressively consolidating minority voters to stay electorally relevant. The other faction, led by Saikia and Bordoloi, fears that such moves—if not handled carefully—could alienate the indigenous Assamese population, especially in Upper Assam, where Congress’s support is already waning. This divide between reformist elements tied to Delhi and entrenched state leaders has been growing since Gogoi’s appointment, but the Sarkar episode forced it into the open. With Congress having won only 29 seats in 2021 and still struggling to present a strong opposition, this internal crisis plays directly into BJP’s narrative portraying Congress as divided, opportunistic, and anti-Assamese. The BJP has capitalized on the controversy to strengthen its hold, while the opposition space risks further fragmentation as regional parties gain ground. Unless Congress manages to rebuild internal consensus, enforce disciplined communication, and align its strategies with Assam’s complex realities, it risks entering the 2026 elections not only weakened by the BJP but also by its own internal conflicts.
