Staff reporter
Guwahati: Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) President Bhupen Kumar Borah has accused Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of shielding his own party leaders from corruption.
Addressing the media, Borah said a person titled Bajaj claims of having withdrawn Rs 20.3 crore from Apex Bank and accused BJP leaders of demanding large sums and attempting to seize his tea estate. Bajaj alleges that he paid the amount to two BJP MLA’s. But the Chief Minister is still silent even after hearing Bajaj allegation.
Borah mocked the Chief Minister’s earlier metaphor of being a “tiger” that pounces at the slightest sign of corruption, saying, “The tiger is now asleep.” He challenged Sarma to take action against BJP leaders who have been publicly accused by businessman Bajaj of corruption and attempted land grab involving a tea estate valued at Rs 88 lakh. “If a lower-level employee is caught accepting Rs 2000, the CM acts swiftly. But when Rs 80–90 lakh is involved and his own party leaders are accused, he goes silent,” Borah said.
Borah also warned that if government employees do not receive their pending salaries before the upcoming Rongali Bihu festival, the Congress party will stage protests during the celebrations. Additionally, he promised that if Congress returns to power, Bihu committees across the state would receive Rs 3 lakh each to support cultural festivities—an increase from the current Rs 1.5 lakh.
Borah asserted that the Congress, in alliance with other anti-BJP forces, is set to form the government in Assam in 2026 and claimed that the party would secure over 75 lakh votes in the upcoming panchayat elections.
Regarding opposition unity, Borah said that the APCC would follow the guidance of respected Assamese intellectual Dr. Hiren Gohain. “According to Dr. Gohain, there should be electoral alliances in the panchayat polls. The Congress will consult with him during Bihu and form alliances based on his recommendations,” he said. However, Borah clarified that the party would not align with leaders who have attacked the Congress or those who are known to have close ties with the BJP.
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