Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma welcomed former Assam Congress President Bhupen Borah’s decision to quit the party and added that he would visit Borah’s residence on February 17 to discuss his next political course of action.
While speaking to media persons on Monday, CM Sarma said, “I will visit Bhupen Borah’s residence tomorrow and have a discussion on his future political vision.”
Sarma added that he had already conveyed the information about the proposed visit and Borah had welcomed the move.
The Assam Chief Minister also said that doors of the BJP were open and that if Borah wants, BJP can offer him a safe seat to contest elections from.
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Meanwhile, CM Sarma took a jibe at the Congress and stated that Borah’s exit reflected dissatisfaction within the party. Sarma said Borah was the “last Hindu leader” in the Congress without a family background father or mother not occupying a ministerial post or being an MLA.
He added that party’s position was “terrible,” pointing to what he described as changing internal dynamics. He alleged that Congress district-level meetings often began with prayers associated with “a particular community”.
“’His resignation carries the symbolic message that in the Congress, no one from a normal family can prosper. Congress does not give recognition to people from ordinary families, but I hail from an ordinary middle class family and the BJP has made me a chief minister. We stay opposite to the politics of blue blood,” Sarma added.
He further alleged that the Congress was fielding minority candidates in constituencies where Hindus form the majority.
According to the Chief Minister, more leaders are likely to resign from the Congress in the coming days.
He said, “I can foresee more leaders quitting Congress, irrespective of whether they join the BJP.”
