GUWAHATI (Feb 21, 2026) — Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, in her capacity as Chairperson of the Congress Screening Committee, has concluded a high-stakes two-day visit to Assam. Her mission: stabilize the state unit following the shock resignation of former state chief Bhupen Borah.
The Borah Fallout
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The Exit: After 30 years with the party, Bhupen Borah resigned Friday and is set to join the BJP on Sunday.
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Potential Exodus: Borah has claimed that several more Congress leaders will defect to the BJP by March 8, posing a direct threat to the party’s election machinery.
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Internal Friction: Sources suggest Borah’s exit was fueled by the rising influence of state chief Gaurav Gogoi and MP Rakibul Hussain.
Electoral Strategy & Challenges
Priyanka Gandhi, alongside committee members DK Shivakumar and Bhupesh Baghel, is navigating a complex pre-poll landscape:
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Alliance Shifts: The Congress is distancing itself from Badruddin Ajmal’s AIUDF (labelling them the BJP’s “B Team”) and is instead courting Akhil Gogoi’s Raijor Dal.
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Vote Share Battle: Despite the BJP’s 2021 seat dominance, the vote share gap was a narrow 1.6%, giving Congress hope for a turnaround.
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Candidate Selection: Gandhi met with 21 MLAs and 3 MPs to finalize a list that can withstand the aggressive campaigning of CM Himanta Biswa Sarma.
