Guwahati

Assam Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia on Wednesday expressed disappointment over former Congress leader Bhupen Kumar Borah’s decision to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), while reaffirming his own commitment to the Congress and criticising the BJP for what he described as divisive politics.

Speaking to the media, Saikia said Borah had played an important mentoring role during his early political career. Recalling his first term as an MLA in 2001, Saikia said Borah had guided him on how to present his views in the Assam Assembly.

“Let him go. I will give him my blessings. He was my president and we worked together. When I first became an MLA, he gave me valuable advice on parliamentary conduct. I respect his guidance, though I do not know what led to his decision,” Saikia said.

Responding to questions about whether he too might consider switching parties, the Congress leader firmly ruled out joining the BJP. He said he would not align with a party that, in his view, “divides Assamese people in the name of ideology.”

“Those who believe in public service and politics based on policy and ideals will not join such a party. I will not join the BJP,” he added.

Borah’s exit from the Congress comes a day after he submitted his resignation to party president Mallikarjun Kharge.

Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed that Borah will formally join the BJP on February 22. Addressing a press conference, Sarma said BJP Assam president Dilip Saikia would finalise the details of the induction, which has already been approved by BJP national president Nitin Nabin.

ALSO READ: Bangladeshi voters show culture and language bind them more than religion

Sarma also claimed that Borah’s joining would be accompanied by several other Congress leaders from Guwahati and North Lakhimpur, marking a significant political development ahead of upcoming electoral contests in the state.