On 16th February, former Assam Congress president Bhupen Kumar Borah resigned from the party ahead of the upcoming state assembly elections. The move has triggered fresh political speculation in the poll bound state. The Election Commission of India is yet to announce the dates for the assembly polls.
The 55 year old Borah was replaced as state president in May 2025, with Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi taking charge. In a statement, Borah said that he had submitted his resignation letter to Congress national President Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi.
VIDEO | Former Assam Congress chief Bhupen Borah resigns from Congress ahead of the Assembly polls in Assam.
He says, "I sent my resignation to the Congress High Command at 8 am this morning and explained in detail why I was compelled to take this stand. This is not a personal… pic.twitter.com/aXRVvRAjIC— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 16, 2026
“I sent my resignation to the Congress High Command at 8 am this morning and explained in detail why I was compelled to take this stand. This is not a personal decision. I have given 32 years to the party,” Borah told the media in Guwahati, adding that he would wait for the high command’s response before commenting further.
Congress caught off guard
Borah’s resignation has reportedly come as a surprise to several Congress leaders in the state. Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia said he was unaware of the decision and would speak to Borah before making any comments.
The resignation comes at a crucial juncture for Congress, which is attempting to forge alliances with other opposition parties ahead of the likely March to April assembly polls.
CM Himanta hints at BJP entry
Following the resignation, Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, said that Borah’s exit was expected after he was replaced by Gogoi. He added that Borah was sidelined within the party and described his resignation as carrying a symbolic message.
#WATCH | Guwahati | On reports of resignation of former Assam Congress chief Bhupen Borah from Congress, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma says, "Bhupen Borah was the last Hindu leader in the Assam Congress party who did not occupy the post of MLA or minister. His resignation carries… pic.twitter.com/W0ASar69Ff
— ANI (@ANI) February 16, 2026
While stating that Borah had not contacted the BJP, Sarma said he would meet him and added that if Borah chose to join, the party would consider accommodating him in the forthcoming elections. Notably, CM Sarma said three years ago, Borah was ready to join BJP and the party was ready to welcome him.