Veteran Congress leader from Assam and the party’s former state president, Ripun Bora, on April 17 quit the party and joined the Trinamool Congress.
After his switch, Bora, a former Assam minister and ex-Rajya Sabha member, tweeted: “From today I have started my new political journey!”
In his resignation letter to Congress’ interim president Sonia Gandhi, he alleged that a section of Congress leaders in Assam have been in clandestine link with the ruling BJP leaders and chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
The Congress leader, accompanied by his wife and son, met Trinamool’s national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee in Kolkata and formally joined the party.
Trinamool MPs Derek O’Brien and Sushmita Dev, who was also in the Congress earlier, were also present.
Banerjee later tweeted: “Extending a very warm welcome to Shri Ripun Bora, a stalwart and skilled politician, who joined the AITC family today. We are extremely pleased to have you onboard and look forward to working together for the well-being of our people!”
The Congress party in Assam called Ripun Bora an opportunist as he left the party “which gave him numerous opportunities”. Speaking to the media, Congress leader and leader of opposition, Debabrata Saikia said, “Must say he is an opportunist. Just a few days back we the Congress party tried our best to elect him to the Rajya Sabha. But, he chose to jump the ship.”
Saikia added that it was the Congress that helped Bora shape his political career and it was only unfair on his part to leave the party, particularly at a time when it needs veteran leaders to stay united.
Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that it is the “internal matter” of the Congress party, but added that there were some Congress MLAs who let Bora down during the Rajya Sabha election.
