In a sharp political attack, Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) President Bhupen Borah on April 15 criticised Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for what he termed as a “complete failure in maintaining discipline within the ruling party.” The criticism came after an open verbal altercation between BJP Assam State President Dilip Saikia and Cabinet Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah during a public event in Nalbari.
Borah accused the chief minister of encouraging infighting within his own party to maintain control through chaos. He said the episode in Nalbari was a reflection of deepening internal rifts in the BJP, which the chief minister has failed to address. He questioned how a party that cannot maintain unity among its top leadership could claim to ensure good governance for the people of Assam.
The Congress leader addressed a press conference in Guwahati, where he said that the clash between Saikia and Mallabaruah did not appear to be a spontaneous disagreement. According to him, the confrontation exposed a power struggle within the BJP. He said that the people of Assam were watching the cracks forming in the ruling party and were losing faith in its leadership.
Bhupen Borah also highlighted how such spats among top leaders sent the wrong message to party workers and the general public. He said the chief minister remained silent during the Nalbari incident and did not intervene to stop the dispute, which was witnessed by party members and the public. He called Sarma’s silence a sign of either helplessness or strategic manipulation.
According to reports, the dispute in Nalbari escalated during discussions around election coordination and ticket distribution, with both Saikia and Mallabaruah trading sharp words. Eyewitnesses claimed that the argument disrupted the meeting and created a tense atmosphere. Though no official statement came from either Saikia or Mallabaruah after the incident, the clash has sparked widespread speculation about factionalism within the BJP’s Assam unit.
Borah called the situation shameful and unprecedented in the state’s political history. He pointed out that never before had such high-ranking leaders from the same party aired their differences in such a public and undignified manner. He demanded that the chief minister come clean about the growing unrest in the party and take immediate steps to restore order.
He also accused the BJP of using political theatrics to distract the public from key issues such as inflation, unemployment, and rising crime. According to him, the internal drama was a tactic to divert attention from the government’s inability to fulfill its promises. Borah added that the Congress would continue to expose the double standards of the ruling party.
Referring to the recent Lok Sabha campaign speeches by BJP leaders, Borah said that while the party talks about unity and development on stage, its leaders fail to demonstrate those values within their ranks. He said the Nalbari incident had opened the eyes of many voters and would influence their choices in the upcoming elections.
In his closing remarks, Bhupen Borah appealed to the people of Assam to demand accountability from their elected leaders. He said that political power should serve the people, not become a tool for ego battles and factionalism. He urged voters to choose leadership that respects democratic values and works for all communities, not one divided by personal ambitions.
As the controversy continues to brew, political observers are closely watching how the BJP will handle the fallout. Meanwhile, the Congress hopes to use the incident as ammunition in its campaign to regain influence in Assam’s political landscape. With elections drawing near, such internal conflicts may have consequences beyond party boundaries, affecting public sentiment and voting patterns across the state.
Bhupen Borah didn’t stop at criticizing just the BJP’s internal squabble. He used the opportunity to draw comparisons between the BJP’s current leadership and what he described as Congress’s more cohesive and democratic style of functioning. He said the Congress party always maintained open channels for dialogue, even during times of disagreement, unlike the public brawls now surfacing within the BJP. He reminded the public that leadership must reflect maturity and grace, especially when the entire state watches.
He further slammed the state government for prioritizing political games over pressing public concerns. Referring to problems in Nalbari and other parts of Assam, Borah cited issues such as a lack of infrastructure development, frequent power cuts, and poor healthcare access. He said people in the districts felt ignored while BJP leaders remained entangled in personal rivalries.
Borah also raised questions about Chief Minister Sarma’s dual role as both head of government and apparent arbitrator in internal party disputes. He said the chief minister must focus on public service instead of managing egos within his cabinet. He accused Sarma of indulging in personality politics, where loyalty to him seemed more valuable than loyalty to the people.
He warned that the ongoing drama within the BJP could weaken democratic institutions in the state if left unchecked. He urged journalists and civil society to keep a close watch on how power dynamics within the ruling party were influencing administrative decisions. Borah added that the Congress would push for greater transparency in how the government operates and how public funds are spent.
In a direct message to Dilip Saikia and Jayanta Mallabaruah, Borah asked both leaders to apologize to the people of Assam for turning a public meeting into a stage for infighting. He said the electorate deserved respect, not political theatre. He also asked the BJP to introspect on whether its leadership model encouraged such confrontations and whether the party was capable of self-correction.
Borah concluded by saying that the Congress, while in opposition, would continue playing the role of a responsible watchdog. He reiterated that the people of Assam needed development, unity, and peace—not political spectacle. He urged young voters especially to pay attention to how their leaders behave and make choices based on values, not just party loyalty.
The Nalbari episode has already begun to resonate on social media, where videos and eyewitness accounts are circulating. Many have expressed shock at the breakdown of decorum among the state’s top political figures. Others have criticized the BJP’s silence over the incident, with no official explanation or disciplinary action announced so far.
As Assam moves closer to crucial electoral contests, incidents like this could shift public opinion. The Congress appears ready to capitalize on BJP’s internal strife, while the ruling party now faces pressure to respond not only to its opponents but also to the unease brewing within its own ranks. Whether the BJP chooses to address this head-on or continue with business as usual remains to be seen—but for now, the fissures have been exposed, and the political narrative has taken a sharp turn.