GUWAHATI, Jan 14: In a dramatic turn of events, former All Assam Minorities Students’ Union (AAMSU) president Rejaul Karim Sarkar resigned from the Indian National Congress on Wednesday, just 60 hours after his high-profile induction.
Sarkar’s exit follows a massive political storm triggered by his controversial remarks regarding the demographic restructuring of Assam. In his resignation letter addressed to Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Gaurav Gogoi, Sarkar cited “serious ideological and moral differences” and specifically targeted senior party veterans.
The Breaking Point: ‘Agents of the BJP’
Sarkar’s resignation was fueled by a public fallout with senior Congress leaders. He explicitly named:
- Debabrata Saikia: Leader of the Opposition (Assam Legislative Assembly)
- Pradyut Bordoloi: Nagaon MP and Manifesto Committee Chairman
Sarkar alleged that the public positions taken by these leaders were “inappropriate” and claimed they were acting like “agents of the BJP” within the Congress.
“Under these circumstances, I find it difficult to maintain my association with the Congress. Their actions have not only demoralized me but also harmed my public image,” Sarkar wrote in his letter.
The Controversy That Sparked the Exit
The friction began shortly after Sarkar joined the party on January 11. During a public address, he made a statement about “turning Sivasagar into Dhubri” and vice versa, which was interpreted by many as a threat to alter the demographic composition of indigenous-majority districts.
The remarks drew immediate fire:
- Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma slammed the comments as a plan to settle “illegal migrants” in Upper Assam.
- Internal Backlash: Debabrata Saikia distanced the party from the statement, calling it “inappropriate and damaging.”
- Public Outrage: Nationalist groups like the Bir Lachit Sena staged protests and burned effigies of Sarkar across the state.
Responding to the resignation, MP Pradyut Bordoloi maintained that public figures must exercise restraint. “People who shoulder responsibility must make responsible statements,” Bordoloi said, adding that he had already advised APCC President Gaurav Gogoi on the need for caution.
Despite the sharp exchange, Sarkar concluded his letter by wishing the Congress success in the future. However, his swift exit is seen as a significant PR setback for the party as it attempts to consolidate minority votes ahead of the 2026 Assembly Elections
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