Assam Chief Minister Predicts Mass Exodus of Congress Leaders to BJP
In a significant political development, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma declared on Monday that multiple senior Congress leaders have a predetermined "schedule" to defect to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This announcement came just one day after former Assam Congress president Bhupen Borah officially joined the ruling party, marking a major setback for the opposition ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.
"No Hindu Will Remain in Congress," Claims Sarma
Speaking at a public event in Guwahati, Sarma—who himself was formerly a Congress member—made the bold assertion that this planned migration would ultimately result in "no Hindu leader remaining" within the Congress party in Assam. When questioned about the possibility of more Congress legislators switching sides before the anticipated April polls, Sarma responded with strategic caution.
"There is no vacancy in the BJP at this moment. If we induct MLAs now, how would we allocate tickets to them?" Sarma explained, indicating the party's current focus on candidate selection.
Detailed Timeline for Defections Revealed
The Chief Minister elaborated on the alleged schedule, specifying that different Congress leaders are expected to join the BJP at various intervals:
- Some will defect in 2027
- Others will switch before the 2029 Lok Sabha elections
- The remaining will join prior to the 2031 assembly polls
"One thing is certain," Sarma emphasized, "no Hindu leader will remain in the Congress party."
BJP's Election Preparations Nearly Complete
Sarma further disclosed that the BJP has almost finalized its candidate list for the upcoming elections. The remaining selections will be discussed with alliance partners, with the final roster to be announced after consultations with the party's central leadership in Delhi.
Background: Bhupen Borah's High-Profile Switch
The political landscape shifted dramatically when Bhupen Borah, who led the Assam Congress unit from July 2021 to May 2025, submitted his resignation on February 16. Initially, Borah requested time to "reconsider" his decision after discussions with Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and former national president of Congress.
Congress state leaders urgently visited Borah's residence in an attempt to persuade him to withdraw his resignation. However, their efforts proved unsuccessful when Chief Minister Sarma met with Borah the following day and announced the former Congress chief's decision to join the BJP.
Since Borah's defection, Sarma has consistently maintained that several other senior Hindu leaders from Congress would follow suit and switch allegiance to the BJP, further consolidating the ruling party's position in the state.
This development occurs as Assam prepares for crucial assembly elections, with political realignments potentially reshaping the electoral dynamics in the region.
