Assam Congress President Gaurav Gogoi on Wednesday called state Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma “Jinnah of Assam” and asserted that the resignation of senior leader Bhupen Borah will not affect the Congress in the upcoming Assembly elections.
Referring to CM Sarma’s remark that Bhupen Borah was the last Hindu leader in the Assam Congress, Gogoi said, “Himanta is the Jinnah of Assam. He should stop giving Hindu certificates to leaders.”
Gogoi, while addressing a press conference at Rajiv Bhawan in Guwahati, said that there were rumours in the party that Borah shared a close relationship with Himanta even before he resigned from Congress. He alleged that Borah was passing confidential party information to Himanta through a journalist.
“There were many rumours regarding the close relationship between Himanta Biswa Sarma and Bhupen Bora. We tried our best not to believe these rumours and speculation. We always wondered as to how the information relating to confidential meetings was known to a particular journalist close to Himanta Biswa Sarma,” he said.
The Assam Congress chief said that the rumours turned out to be true as Bhupen Borah had no qualms about joining the BJP and surrendering to Himanta Biswa Sarma just a day after quitting the Congress.
‘Borah’s resignation shows Himanta’s desperation after Congress exposed his land deals’
Gogoi said the resignation also showed Himanta’s desperation after the Congress “exposed” his land dealings. “It (Borah’s resignation) also shows Himanta Biswa Sarma’s desperation that today the entire state is wondering as to how 4000 acres of land belong to one family. Congress party, through its various programs, has been successful in uncovering the real estate empire of Himanta Biswa Sarma. This is why they have been forced to take this decision to distract the public,” Gogoi said.
Gogoi also wondered how Himanta, who was criticising Borah until a few days ago, now considers him the most upright Hindu leader.
“A few days ago, Himanta Biswa Sarma criticised Bhupen Bora for his vulgar actions in public when he was interacting with a leader of the Mahila Congress. There is an inquiry against Bhupen Bora by the Women’s Commission. Now, Himanta Biswa Sarma feels Bhupen Bora is the most upright Hindu neta…,” Gogoi said.
Gogoi’s remarks came days after former Assam Congress chief Bhupen Bora tendered his resignation, accusing him of public humiliation.
Borah alleged that Gogoi had publicly accused him of creating confusion during the ongoing alliance negotiations. He claimed that he even raised the issue with Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi but didn’t get any response from him.