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Bhupen Kumar Borah, former Assam Congress Chief, joined BJP in Guwahati.
Bhupen Kumar Borah
Former Assam Congress Chief Bhupen Kumar Borah has officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the party’s Assam headquarters in Guwahati.
Along with Bora, young Congress leaders, including Sanju Baruah and Sarbanarayan Deori, also joined the BJP in the presence of Assam BJP chief Dilip Saikia.
The development comes as the 126-member Assam Assembly is set to undergo assembly polls later this year.
WHO IS BHUPEN KUMAR BORAH?
A veteran politician, Bhupen Bora had been in the Congress party for the last 32 years. He served as a member of the Assam Legislative Assembly for two consecutive terms between 2006 and 2016.
A predecessor of Gaurav Gogoi, He also served as the former president of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) from 2021 and 2024.
He also worked as a spokesperson and parliamentary secretary for the Government of Assam during Tarun Gogoi’s tenure.
In 2013, he was named president of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee.
EDUCATION AND BACKGROUND
Born on October 30, 1970, in Pohumora, Lakhimpur, Borah pursued graduation from North Lakhimpur College and Dibrugarh University.
Borah gained prominence during his time at Dibrugarh University. Union Minister and former Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal was also studying at Dibrugarh Universtity at the same time as Borah.
The duo was a part of the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU).
WHY BORAH QUIT CONGRESS?
Bhupen Borah quit the party this week, citing party MP Rakibul Hussain as a major reason behind his decision. Borah alleged that the reins of the Assam Congress were in the hands of Hussain and that Gaurav Gogoi was merely a figurehead.
Hussain has not directly responded to the allegations, stating he would discuss the matter in a few days. Meanwhile, senior Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, spoke to Borah, persuading him to re-consider his decision.
However, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma later visited his residence and announced that he would be joining the BJP on February 22.
Post Borah’s resignation, Gaurav Gogoi stated his exit from the party would not harm its prospects. “Congress is like an ocean; we are all just water drops in it. Congress was there long before our fathers and forefathers existed. Bhupen Borah’s leaving will not impact our party’s prospects in the assembly polls,” he had said.
Guwahati [Gauhati], India, India
February 22, 2026, 12:10 IST
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