The exit of Bhupen Kumar Borah lays bare factional rifts, leadership mistrust and alliance turmoil within the Indian National Congress ahead of the 2026 Assam election battle
Guwahati: In a move that has sent ripples through Assam’s political circles, senior leader and former Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) chief Bhupen Kumar Borah resigned from the Indian National Congress on Monday, ending a 32-year-long association with the party just months before the crucial 2026 Assembly elections.
Borah submitted his resignation to party president Mallikarjun Kharge early in the morning, with a copy to senior leader Rahul Gandhi. He states the leadership had sidelined him and failed to accord due importance to his role. He described the decision as necessary to safeguard his “self-respect” and dignity.
Speaking to reporters, Borah said organisational confusion and a lack of timely decisions had weakened the party, adding that even basic matters like rally representation were mishandled.
Moreover, Borah served as APCC president from 2021 to 2025 before being replaced by Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi. He has also represented the State as a two-time legislator.
Borah’s departure signals more than personal dissatisfaction. Sources say he was unhappy with the internal interference in organisational matters. He reportedly criticised MP Rakibul Hussain for complicating negotiations with regional forces such as Raijor Dal and Asom Jatiya Parishad.
Meanwhile, the Assam unit of the Indian National Congress issued a show-cause notice to joint secretary Panjak Saikia over remarks made against the former State chief, further underlining simmering internal tensions within the party ahead of the crucial polls.
Under state chief Gaurav Gogoi, the Congress is split between two camps, one pushing seat-sharing to secure unity, another resisting the loss of key constituencies. What should have been an alliance, the arithmetic has turned into a test of trust.
More than a resignation, Borah’s exit has become a symbol of deeper unrest, raising a crucial question: Can Congress stabilise itself before the battle for Assam begins?
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