There has been a big political stir in Assam before the assembly elections. In Assam, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma met former state Congress President Bhupen Bora on Tuesday (17 February 2026). After this meeting, Himanta Biswa Sarma said that Bhupen Bora will join BJP on 22 February. Former Assam Congress state president Bhupen Bora had resigned from the Congress on Monday (16 February 2026).
The top leadership of the Congress has not accepted Bora’s resignation and had tried to persuade him to withdraw it. After this, he asked for time to reconsider his decision.
Bhupen Bora will join BJP: Himanta Biswa Sarma
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, ‘Dilip Saikia will complete all the formalities related to Bhupen Bora joining BJP. Along with him, many Congress leaders from Guwahati and North Lakhimpur will also join BJP. He is the last recognized Hindu leader in Congress. Our national president Nitin Nabin has approved his joining the party and welcomed him.
#WATCH | Guwahati | Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma says, “… Bhupen Borah will join BJP on 22nd February. Dilip Saikia will work out the details. Along with him, a good number of Congress leaders will join the BJP in Guwahati and North Lakhimpur … He is the last recognized Hindu… pic.twitter.com/IO8ErSW9iu
— ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2026
‘Joining BJP is like returning home’
Assam CM said, ‘Bhupen Bora will be given full respect and dignity. Joining BJP will be like a homecoming for him because it is a party which has many people like him, whose father did not hold any high position. Congress is no longer the party of mainstream Assamese people.
He said, ‘A true Congress leader will be sad that his party is not struggling to win the elections. I too had suffered the same pain. When I went to join BJP, I also received such calls. These people live like feudal lords. They think that one call will change the decision. If someone says that I went to Islamabad to see the Park Hotel and you approve of those people, then are you not anti-national?
I am a bigger leader than Priyanka Gandhi: Himanta Biswa Sarma
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was asked whether Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi’s visit to Guwahati would have any impact? On this he said, ‘Why? Is she going to vote here? I am a bigger leader than him. Bhupen Bohra is a bigger leader than him. Dilip Saikia is a bigger leader than him. As far as Assam is concerned.
