Himanta Sarma says former Assam Congress chief Bhupen Borah will join BJP on February 22

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma addressing the press.

Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said former state Congress chief Bhupen Borah will join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on February 22.

Addressing the press in Guwahati, Sarma confirmed that along with the former state Congress chief a large number of leaders from the Congress will join the BJP.

Explaining the possible reasons behind Borah joining the saffron party, Sarma said:  "The former state Congress chief is the last recognised Hindu leader in the Congress party. Sarma said that his association with Boarah is over two decades and goes back to the days when they worked for the Congress. Borah's joining will strengthen BJP. Our national president has welcomed the move and accepted Borah's admission to the saffron party."

#WATCH | Guwahati | Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma says, "... Bhupen Borah's joining will completely create an image, which is a reality too, that Congress is no longer a party of mainstream Assamese people." pic.twitter.com/7tNbaE2Eco

— ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2026

Borah had resigned from the Congress on Monday, but the party's top leadership did not accept his resignation, making attempts to persuade him to take it back. Following this, he sought time to reconsider his decision.

Senior Assam leader Bhupen Borah, who has quit the Congress, will stand by his decision and will join the BJP on February 22, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated "Bhupen Borah has decided to not withdraw his resignation and after our discussion, he has decided to join the BJP," Sarma told reporters in the state capital.

Earlier today, Sarma visited Borah's residence in Ghoramara area of Guwahati, and was welcomed by his wife and son with 'aarti'.  The Assam CM had earlier said that the doors of the BJP are open for Borah, promising that he would help him win from a "safe seat" in the assembly polls.