Ripun Bora Resigns from TMC Assam, Cites Unresolved Challenges Hindering Party Growth
Guwahati, September 01, 2024: In a surprising turn of events, Ripun Bora, the President of Trinamool Congress (TMC) in Assam, has stepped down from his position. His resignation letter, addressed to TMC National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee, reveals the underlying frustrations and obstacles that led to this decision.
Bora, who has been at the helm of Assam TMC since April 2022, made significant strides in expanding the party’s presence across the state. Under his leadership, TMC saw a rapid increase in membership, extending its influence to 31 of Assam’s 35 districts within just six months. His efforts didn’t stop there; he worked tirelessly to build the party’s structure from the grassroots level, establishing crucial departments and outreach programs aimed at engaging diverse communities.
Despite these achievements, Bora’s tenure was marred by challenges that proved difficult to overcome. In his resignation letter, he pointed to a persistent perception of TMC as a regional party confined to West Bengal, which has hampered the party’s acceptance in Assam. This perception, according to Bora, has been a significant roadblock in translating the party’s activities into electoral success.
Bora also shared his disappointment at the lack of response from the party leadership regarding several proposals he put forward to strengthen TMC’s position in Assam. These proposals included appointing an Assamese leader to a national role, declaring Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhupen Hazarika’s residence as a heritage site, and converting Madhupur Satra in Cooch Behar into a cultural center. Despite his repeated attempts to discuss these initiatives with Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee, Bora was unable to secure a meeting.
In his resignation, Bora expressed his gratitude to the leadership of Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee, praising their efforts in combating communal and fascist forces. He made it clear that his decision to step down was not driven by personal grievances but by circumstances that were beyond his control. Bora emphasized that his resignation was a necessary step given the unresolved challenges and the lack of adequate support from the party’s top brass.
Bora’s exit is a significant blow to TMC’s ambitions in Assam. His leadership was marked by a genuine attempt to connect the party with the people of Assam, but the deep-rooted perception of TMC as an outsider’s party proved to be a formidable challenge. Even as he leaves the party, Bora has pledged to continue his fight against communal forces on a personal front, indicating that his political journey is far from over.
This development raises important questions about the future of TMC in Assam and the strategies the party will need to adopt to overcome the challenges highlighted by Bora. As the party reassesses its approach in the state, Bora’s departure will undoubtedly leave a void that will be hard to fill.
Also read: Assam’s War on Drugs: Karimganj Police Seize 10,000 Yaba Tablets
