Former Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Bhupen Borah, who quit the party this week alleging humiliation at the hands of state Congress chief Gaurav Gogoi and Dhubri MP Rakibul Hussain, on Thursday revealed details of his conversation with Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, who called him after his resignation.
Speaking to a news agency, Borah claimed that when Rahul Gandhi called him after his resignation, he raised the issue of repeated humiliation within the party but the LoP told him that he too has felt humiliated.
In a separate media interview, Bohra also claimed that Rahul reminicised about past experiences instead of addressing his concerns.
If Rahul Gandhi is feeling humiliated in the Congress, then what is the value of my humiliation, Borah said, adding he could not tolerate such humiliation.
The former Congress leader also responded to Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi’s allegations that he had taken Rs 50 crores from Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, saying he would accept the money in front of the media if offered.
He further clarified that his father wanted to build a modern stadium but his wish remained unfulfilled. He said although Rs 50 crores would not be enough for such a stadium, he will take that and start the work.
Shortly after Borah’s shock resignation, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the disgruntled Congress leader is welcome to join the BJP. CM Sarma, who himself had deserted the Congress in 2015 to join the BJP, described Borah as the “last Hindu leader” in the Congress party without a family background.
He even went a step further and offered a “safe seat” to Borah to contest the upcoming Assembly elections.
The Assam CM went to meet Borah at his residence on Tuesday and announced that the former Congress leader will join the BJP on February 22.