Assam Politics: Major blow to Congress in Assam, former state president Bhupen Bora takes charge of BJP

News India Live, Digital Desk: There was a big earthquake in the politics of Assam on the morning of Sunday, 22 February 2026. Former Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president and senior party leader Bhupen Borah has formally left the Congress and joined the BJP. This high-profile joining event, held in the presence of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, has shaken the roots of Congress in the Northeast.1. “No future in Congress”: Bhupen Bora’s pain spilled out. After taking membership of BJP, Bhupen Bora, while talking to the media, raised sharp questions on the top leadership of Congress. He said: Lack of leadership: “Congress is now limited to only one family. There is a lack of vision and there is no one to listen to the grassroots workers.” Trust in Modi’s vision: Bora said that he has joined BJP after being impressed by the development work of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and CM Himanta Biswa Sarma. Development of Assam: He stressed that if Assam has to be taken to new heights of development, then the only option is to go with the ‘double engine’ government. Is.2. CM Himanta’s taunt: “Congress is collapsing like a pack of cards.” Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma took a dig at Congress while welcoming Bhupen Bora. He said that Bora’s joining BJP is proof that now Congress has neither any policy nor leader left. CM claimed that many more Congress MLAs and senior officials will join BJP in the coming days.3. Why a big loss for Congress? (Impact Analysis) Bhupen Bora was not just a leader but the face of Congress in Assam. His departure will cause these 3 big losses to the party: Disintegration in the organization: Along with Bora, his supporters and many district level officials are also likely to change sides. Strategic injury: Congress was trying to revive itself after the Lok Sabha elections, but this setback has broken the confidence of the party. Weakening of the opposition: The departure of the president of the main opposition party to the ruling party before the assembly elections can create a crisis on the existence of ‘Assam Congress’. 4. Discussion of ‘defection’ on social media As soon as this news spread, #AssamPolitics and #BhupenBorah started trending on social media. BJP supporters described it as a “masterstroke”, while Congress supporters termed it “opportunism”.