The Congress party has suffered a major setback ahead of the upcoming Assam Assembly elections. Former state Congress president Bhupen Kumar Bora joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday.
Bhopen Kumar Bora joined the BJP at a ceremony held at the Assam BJP headquarters, Vajpayee Bhawan. Assam BJP state president Dilip Saikia was present on the occasion. Former Congress worker Sanju Bora also joined the BJP along with Bora.
Bhopen Bora resigned from the Congress party on February 16th. However, the Congress high command did not accept his resignation, and senior leaders visited his residence to try to persuade him. Rahul Gandhi also spoke with him and urged him to reconsider his decision. However, the very next day, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma arrived at his residence and announced that Bora would join the BJP on February 22nd.
Active in Congress politics for 32 years
Bora served in active politics within the Congress party for 32 years. He had been the state president of the Assam Congress since 2021. His decision signals a major shift in Assamese politics, especially in Upper Assam, where his influence is considered strong.
Elections for the 126-member Assam Assembly are likely to be held in March-April. Bora’s joining the BJP is expected to strengthen the ruling party. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has previously described Bora as “the last prominent Hindu leader in the Congress.”
