Ahead of 2026 Assembly polls, former Assam Congress chief Bhupen Borah quits party

Borah (L) was reportedly unhappy with his role within the state leadership and felt sidelined in key decision-making processes.

In a blow to the Congress ahead of the 2026 Assam Assembly elections, senior leader and ex-state chief Bhupen Kumar Borah has quit the party.

According to party insiders cited in multiple local media reports, Borah has sent his resignation letter to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.

The resignation has not yet been officially confirmed by the All India Congress Committee (AICC) or the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC).

Borah was reportedly unhappy with his role within the state leadership and felt sidelined in key decision-making processes. His exit comes at a sensitive time for the Congress, just days before Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s scheduled visit to Assam on February 18.

Borah, who served as APCC president from July 24, 2021, until 2024, was replaced by Gaurav Gogoi last year. A two-time MLA, he represented the Bihpuria constituency between 2006 and 2016 and was considered one of the prominent organisational faces of the party in the state.

His resignation also comes amid ongoing efforts by the Congress to build an opposition alliance in Assam. Borah had recently been tasked with leading discussions with regional parties, including the Raijor Dal led by Akhil Gogoi.

Fueling further speculation, Borah removed his Congress designation from his profile on social media platform X shortly after submitting his resignation.