CM criticises the Indian National Congress for ignoring core issues, calls Borah’s move a principled decision rather than a political negotiation
Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday strongly defended Bhupen Kumar Borah’s decision to leave the Congress and join the Bharatiya Janata Party, asserting that the move was driven by conviction rather than political bargaining.
Addressing the media, the Chief Minister dismissed suggestions that Borah’s switch was motivated by electoral considerations or personal gain. He said leaders of Borah’s stature do not negotiate positions before changing parties. He states, “At Bhupen Bora’s level, people do not join a party through bargaining. A person joins only when he is completely convinced in his heart.”
The Chief Minister pointed out that Borah could have easily secured an electoral ticket had he chosen to stay back in the Congress. “If he wanted, he could have negotiated there itself and ensured an MLA seat. The Congress could have arranged anything for him. So, this is not about a deal,” he added. Calling attempts to portray the move as political horse-trading “disrespectful,” he said such speculation undermines the seriousness of a leader’s personal and ideological decision.
The Chief Minister also criticised the Congress leadership’s response to Borah’s resignation, terming it “immature.” He said instead of addressing the reasons that led to a senior leader’s exit, the party relied on symbolic gestures and persuasion. “They think that visiting someone’s house or a telephonic conversation with Rahul Gandhi will change decisions. Life does not work like that,” he remarked.
According to the Chief Minister, when a leader resigns after serving a party for over three decades, there must be serious underlying issues that deserve introspection. “They should focus on correcting their mistakes rather than trying to emotionally pressure someone to stay,” he said.
Drawing from his own experience of leaving the Congress years ago, the Chief Minister further stated that he, too, had received calls asking him to reconsider. “But politics is not about persuasion or pressure. People want correction, accountability and rectification.”
With Borah’s formal entry scheduled soon, the development is expected to further reshape Assam’s political dynamics ahead of the Assembly elections.
