Ripun Bora quits TMC, says people consider it a regional party of West Bengal

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 1, 2024

Prominent politician and former Rajya Sabha MP Ripun Bora has resigned from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) claiming that people in Assam and the Northeast perceive the TMC as a regional party primarily focused on West Bengal. This perception, according to Bora, hampers the party’s ability to expand its influence and gain support outside of its home state.

Bora’s resignation could be seen as a setback for the TMC’s attempts to establish a foothold in Assam and other northeastern states, where the party has been trying to make inroads. Bora had joined the TMC after leaving the Congress, where he had served as a senior leader and a former president of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee. His departure from TMC may impact the party’s strategy and efforts in the region.

In his resignation letter to All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) national secretary Abhishek Banerjee, Borah expressed his dissatisfaction with the party’s approach in Assam and mentioned that he had provided several suggestions to the party supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to make the TMC more acceptable in Assam. However, he noted with disappointment that these suggestions were not implemented.

“Assam TMC has great potential, but several recurring issues have hindered our progress, including the perception of TMC as a regional party of West Bengal. To counter this perception, we made several suggestions, such as the need for an Assamese leader at the national level, declaring the residence of Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika at Tollygunge as a heritage site, and converting the Madhupur Satra at Cooch Behar (the place from where Assam’s greatest social reformer Mahapurush Sankar Dev started the Vaishnavite movement) into a cultural hub. Despite my repeated attempts over the past year and a half to secure an appointment with you and our Chief Mamata Didi to address these concerns, I have been unsuccessful,” Borah said.

Bora reflected on his tenure as the state president of Assam TMC, which lasted over two years. He mentioned that during this period, he had extensive interactions with people across Assam. Bora expressed regret that, despite his efforts, the people of Assam continue to perceive the TMC as a regional party rooted in West Bengal. This perception, he noted, has made it difficult for the party to gain acceptance in Assam.

“Our efforts and a series of agitational programmes against the BJP received a phenomenal response; however, they did not translate into success in the Lok Sabha elections. I have already shared an analysis of this outcome with you,” Borah added.

Following Bora’s resignation, Assam TMC Youth Congress president Mehboob Ali also resigned from the party on personal ground.