GUWAHATI: Ripun Bora, the head of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) unit in Assam, resigned on Sunday, September 1, citing the party's lack of acceptance in the state.
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Bora, who joined TMC from the Congress in April 2022, said he made the decision because the party did not act on his recommendations to improve its image in Assam. Despite his efforts to establish district-level units, he found that the TMC is still perceived as a regional party from West Bengal, which hinders its acceptance in Assam.
Bora, a former Rajya Sabha member from Congress, shared that he had suggested several initiatives, such as promoting a local leader at the national level and declaring the residence of Bharat Ratna Bhupen Hazarika in Kolkata's Tollygunge as a heritage site. However, the party ignored his proposals. He also mentioned his unsuccessful attempts over the past year and a half to secure meetings with TMC's leadership, including Mamata Banerjee, to discuss these issues.
TMC sources reportedly indicated that Bora's resignation was anticipated, as the party was dissatisfied with the 80,000 votes it received in four Lok Sabha constituencies in Assam under his leadership. They also suggested that Bora had sought a Rajya Sabha seat, which the party declined due to his perceived underperformance, as per reports. The party's Rajya Sabha member, Sushmita Dev, is expected to meet with TMC workers in Guwahati soon.
Meanwhile, sources within the Congress speculated that Bora might rejoin the party as it aims to strengthen its position in Assam ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, with the goal of defeating the BJP.
Although Bora has not made a final decision, he did not rule out the possibility of returning to Congress, a party he left after being denied a Rajya Sabha ticket. Sushmita Dev had similarly left Congress but was later given a Rajya Sabha seat by TMC from Bengal.