Congress Delegates Bhupen Borah to Accelerate Opposition Alliance Discussions in Assam
In a strategic move to address mounting frustrations over delays in finalizing the opposition alliance and seat-sharing arrangements, the Congress party has elevated former Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president and campaign committee chairperson Bhupen Borah to a pivotal role. His mandate is to drive the negotiations to a conclusive stage, as confirmed by party insiders in Guwahati.
Borah's Proactive History and New Responsibilities
Bhupen Borah has previously demonstrated his capability in maintaining cohesion among opposition factions during his tenure as Assam PCC president. Following the appointment of Lok Sabha deputy leader Gaurav Gogoi as the state PCC chief last year, Gogoi concentrated on fortifying the party's organizational base, while alliance discussions proceeded sporadically.
Borah emphasized that the All India Congress Committee (AICC) and Assam PCC leadership have entrusted him with the critical task of advancing the alliance process. "Assam PCC President Gaurav Gogoi and Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia have sincerely progressed the alliance matter. I will collaborate with them, as directed by AICC and Assam PCC leaders, to achieve this objective," Borah stated.
Key Meeting and Alliance Challenges
This decision was formalized during a high-level meeting on Tuesday, attended by AICC general secretary in-charge of Assam Jitendra Singh, Gaurav Gogoi, Debabrata Saikia, MPs Pradyut Bordoloi and Rakibul Hussain, and former PCC president Ripun Bora. The gathering underscored the urgency of resolving alliance issues.
In November last year, Gaurav Gogoi announced that Congress would contest the upcoming assembly elections in partnership with several parties, including Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP), Raijor Dal (RD), Anchalik Gana Morcha (now merged with AJP), CPI, CPM, CPI-ML, and APHLC. However, the lack of a concrete seat-sharing agreement has strained relations, with RD, APHLC, and CPI expressing readiness to field candidates in multiple constituencies independently.
Borah highlighted the necessity of a unified approach, saying, "We must proceed with an understanding among like-minded parties to prevent the division of anti-BJP votes."
Immediate Actions and Partner Responses
Shortly after assuming his new responsibility, Borah initiated talks on Wednesday with Raijor Dal president Akhil Gogoi, who welcomed the appointment. Akhil Gogoi described Borah as more alliance-friendly and expressed optimism about the alliance's swift finalization.
"The positive development is that Bhupen Borah has been tasked with overseeing the alliance. He is a pragmatic individual, and we are pleased with Congress's decision. We are hopeful that the alliance will be concluded promptly," Akhil remarked. He added that Borah assured him of imminent discussions with Raijor Dal.
AJP president Lurinjyoti Gogoi stressed the importance of finalizing the alliance and seat-sharing within the next 7 to 10 days. "Early resolution of seat-sharing will generate positivity among voters," he noted.
Background and Previous Resignation
In 2024, Bhupen Borah resigned as president of the opposition coalition Asom Sanmilito Morcha (ASOM). Sources indicate that his resignation followed the Congress high command's support for Congress candidate Jayanta Bora in the Behali by-election, a move that contradicted other alliance partners who backed CPI-ML for the seat.
This historical context adds complexity to the current negotiations, but Borah's renewed involvement signals Congress's commitment to overcoming past hurdles and fostering a cohesive opposition front in Assam.
