All India Congress Committee (AICC) has refused to accept former Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Bhupen Kumar Borah’s resignation even as the latter has sought time till Tuesday to reconsider his decision to resign from the party he has served for 32 years.
Speaking to mediapersons at his residence in Guwahati, Borah said he would consult his family members before making a final decision.
“I have served the party for 32 years. I resigned because my words were not given importance,” Borah said.
Despite AICC’s intervention and pressure from within the party to withdraw his resignation, the veteran Congress leader reiterated that he would take a decision by Tuesday and make it known to the party leadership.
The internal rift in the Congress has become apparent at a crucial time with barely two months left for the Assembly elections in the state.
Meanwhile, in a significant gesture aimed at reconciliation, Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi publicly apologised to Borah during the media conference held at the latter’s residence. “Bhupen Borah is a true Congressman. If he is hurt by something within the party or for any reason, I, as a younger brother, apologise to him,” Gogoi said, acknowledging internal differences and appealing for unity.
The intervention did not stop there. Assam Congress in-charge Jitendra Singh stated that discussions with Borah and the central leadership had helped resolve misunderstandings. He confirmed that Borah’s resignation was not accepted and emphasised that the senior leader continues to be an integral part of the party.
According to Singh, senior leaders including Rahul Gandhi were involved in detailed deliberations to address the issue, highlighting the party’s focus on maintaining unity in Assam. AICC general secretary K. C. Venugopal also reportedly spoke with Bora in an effort to persuade him to reconsider.
