GUWAHATI: In yet another blow to the Congress party, former Assam PCC president Ripun Bora joined the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in Kolkata, hours after sending his resignation letter to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi.
Bora was given a ticket by the Congress in the recently-held Rajya Sabha elections but lost. In his letter to Sonia, Bora blamed some of his party leaders for paving the way for the BJP alliance victory in both the RS seats.
“I am very pained to inform you that it is an open secret in Assam that instead of fighting against BJP, a section of senior-most leaders of Assam PCC have been maintaining secret understanding with BJP govt, mainly with the CM,” Bora alleged.
TMC national general secretary, Abhishek Banerjee welcomed Bora to TMC, calling the former Assam minister a skilled politician.
“Extending a very warm welcome to Shri @ripunbora, a stalwart and skilled politician, who joined the @AITCofficial family today. We are extremely pleased to have you onboard and look forward to working together for the well-being of our people!” Banerjee tweeted.
With Bora joining TMC, Mamata Banerjee now has three key politicians in the northeast, including former Meghalaya CM Mukul Sangma and RS MP Sushmita Dev to steer Trinamool Congress’ ship through 2024 Lok Sabha election and upcoming state polls in the region. “Ripun Bora-ji has a huge capacity to build an organization, which we need in Assam. I am grateful to Mamata di and Abhishek for choosing such an experienced person to lead us in Assam,” Sushmita told TOI.
Bora was seen in the frame with wife Monika Bora, a former Congress legislator, and his son sharing dais with Abhishek.
A former Assam civil service officer, Bora was a former minister of panchayat & rural development and education in Assam.
