Guwahati: With just a few days left for the 2026 Assam Legislative Assembly elections, a major political development has unfolded in the state. The Congress party has received a setback as former Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Bhupen Bora has formally resigned from the party, ending his long association with it.
Bora has already sent his resignation letter to All India Congress Committee president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi. The development has sparked widespread discussion across Assam.
It may be recalled that Bora served as an MLA from the Bihpuria constituency from 2006 to 2016. Later, on July 24, 2021, he was given the responsibility of leading the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee as its president.
Soon after submitting his resignation, Bora removed his Congress designation from his ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) handle — a move widely seen as a clear indication of his decision to leave the party.
Speaking about his resignation, Bora confirmed the development, stating, “It is true that I have resigned. It is a matter of self-respect, and that is why I have resigned. I have informed the central leadership about how the party is being run. I sent my resignation letter to the central leadership at 8 am.”
He had earlier been entrusted with the responsibility of holding discussions on seat-sharing arrangements within the opposition alliance. However, later the same responsibility was also assigned to Rakibul Hussain. Bora was reportedly upset over this development. In recent days, he had expressed dissatisfaction regarding Rakibul Hussain’s position within the party, and political circles believe that this discontent ultimately led to his resignation.
For the 2026 elections, Bora’s name had been mentioned as a probable Congress candidate from the Ranganadi constituency. His resignation at this juncture presents a significant challenge for the party.
Meanwhile, there is strong speculation in political circles that he may join the Bharatiya Janata Party on February 20. How this decision shapes Assam’s political landscape in the days ahead remains to be seen.
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