Guwahati, Feb 16: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated on Monday that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) remains open to welcoming former state Congress president Bhupen Borah, just hours after Borah resigned from the Congress party.

Sarma added that if Borah joins the BJP, he would work to secure him a “safe seat” in upcoming elections. Borah submitted his resignation letter to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge earlier in the day, citing neglect by the party leadership and lack of due recognition in the state unit. This move delivers a significant setback to Congress ahead of the Assam assembly polls.

Borah served as Assam Congress president from 2021 to 2025, succeeded by Gaurav Gogoi last year. A two-time legislator, he holds prominence as what Sarma described as the “last Hindu leader” in Congress from a non-political family background without parents who held ministerial posts or MLA positions.

Speaking to reporters outside the assembly, Sarma emphasized: “His resignation sends a symbolic message that in Congress, no one from a normal family can prosper. I come from an ordinary middle-class family, yet BJP made me chief minister. We oppose the politics of blue blood.”

The Chief Minister plans to visit Borah’s residence tomorrow evening to discuss his future plans. He noted that Borah has not yet contacted him or the BJP, and they are not in touch. “If he wants to join BJP, we will welcome him warmly. Even if not, we extend our best wishes,” Sarma concluded.