Guwahati: Two days after former Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Bhupen Borah quit the Congress and joined the BJP, senior Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi launched a sharp attack on Borah and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, alleging that long-circulating rumours about their proximity had “now come out to be true.”
Addressing the media on Wednesday, Gogoi said speculation regarding a “close relationship” between Sarma and Borah had persisted for months but was initially dismissed by the Congress leadership.
“We tried our best not to believe these rumours and speculation. We always wondered how confidential information from meetings was reaching a particular journalist close to Himanta Biswa Sarma. These rumours have come out to be true,” Gogoi asserted.
He further questioned Borah’s swift entry into the BJP describing the move as politically revealing. “A day after resigning from Congress, Bhupen Borah had no qualms about joining the BJP and surrendering to Himanta Biswa Sarma,” Gogoi said, alleging that the development pointed to a deeper understanding between the two leaders.
Intensifying his criticism of the ruling dispensation, Gogoi claimed the BJP was attempting to divert public attention from alleged land-related controversies. “Today the entire state is wondering how 4,000 acres of land belong to one family. Through our various programmes, we have been successful in uncovering the real estate empire of Himanta Biswa Sarma. This decision has been taken to distract the public,” he alleged.
Gogoi maintained that Borah’s exit would not dent the Congress’s political campaign in Assam. “We will continue the fight and remove Himanta Biswa Sarma from the seat of power,” he said.
The Congress leader also referred to a recent controversy involving Borah, noting that the Chief Minister had earlier criticised him over alleged “vulgar actions” during a public interaction with a Mahila Congress leader. Gogoi added that an inquiry by the Women’s Commission was underway.
“Now, Himanta Biswa Sarma feels Bhupen Borah is the most upright Hindu neta,” Gogoi remarked.
Borah, who ended his 32-year association with the Congress on Monday, had cited “humiliation” and “neglect” as reasons for his resignation. In his public statements, Borah claimed that concerns raised in his resignation letter were not addressed by the party leadership, despite outreach from Rahul Gandhi after he stepped down.
He also offered a critical assessment of the party’s internal functioning in Assam, describing Gogoi as a “figurehead” and alleging that real authority rested elsewhere within the organisation.
Borah is set to join BJP on Sunday after Sarma visited him at his residence on Tuesday.