Guwahati, Feb 18: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday announced that former Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Bhupen Kumar Borah will join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on February 22, ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections in the state.

Borah had submitted his resignation from the Indian National Congress on Monday to party president Mallikarjun Kharge, citing dissatisfaction over certain internal decisions. Speaking to the media, Borah referred to differences regarding the party’s handling of participation in the Majuli yatra and said such issues prompted him to reconsider his future within the organisation.

Addressing a press conference in Guwahati alongside Borah, Sarma said the formalities of his induction into the BJP would be coordinated by Assam BJP president Dilip Saikia, with approval from the party’s national president Nitin Nabin. Sarma also stated that several Congress leaders are expected to join the BJP in Guwahati and North Lakhimpur along with Borah.

Sarma said Borah would be accorded due respect within the BJP and described the move as significant ahead of the state polls. He also referred to his own departure from Congress in 2015 while commenting on internal functioning within the party.

Meanwhile, Congress leaders maintained that Borah remains part of the party. AICC Assam in-charge Jitendra Singh said the resignation had not been accepted and that discussions were held with senior leadership, including Rahul Gandhi, to resolve the matter.

Jorhat MP Gaurav Gogoi also met Borah and described him as an important leader of the Congress.

Assam is scheduled to go to Assembly elections later this year, with the BJP seeking to retain power and the Congress preparing its campaign. The political developments surrounding Borah have intensified discussions ahead of the polls.