Assam Cong’s woes since Rahul Yatra continue as another senior leader quits, BJP says ‘all MLAs’ in touch with it

In a span of two weeks, the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) has lost two of its three working presidents with former Jorhat MLA Rana Goswami now resigning from the party amid indications that he is going to join the BJP.

In the BJP-ruled Assam, the Congress has been reeling under multiple setbacks, including desertions, since Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra passed through the state last month.

On Wednesday, Goswami wrote to Assam Congress president Bhupen Borah, tendering his resignation as the APCC working president as well as a member of the Indian National Congress.

Two days ago, Goswami had resigned from his position as the Congress’s organisational in-charge of Upper Assam, citing “various political reasons”. Borah had then downplayed Goswami’s move, telling reporters that he did not believe that the latter would leave the party.

Borah also alleged that the BJP was raking up perceived rifts within the Congress “to keep the media busy instead of raising core issues that affect the people.” He said, “We (Goswami and I) have done politics together for 30 years. I spoke to him (Goswami) yesterday as well and my understanding is that he has given the Congress party around three decades and the party has given him a lot of respect.”

In 2021, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) leadership had appointed three APCC working presidents – ex-AICC secretary Goswami, North Karimganj MLA Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha and Sarukhetri MLA Jakir Hussain Sikdar.

On February 14 this year, Purkayastha had also resigned from his position, even as he along with Mangaldoi MLA Basanta Das declared their support to the Himanta Biswa Sarma-led BJP government while claiming that they continued to be the Congress members.

Assam’s