Guwahati: Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) President Bhupen Borah on Wednesday accused the BJP-led Assam government of using the Biplab Sarma Commission report on former APSC Chairman Rakesh Paul’s irregularities as a political distraction. He claimed that the report was strategically highlighted to divert attention from pressing issues, including the Umrangso coal mine crisis.
During a press meet, Borah questioned the timing of the report’s release, pointing out that it was brought to the forefront a year before the 2026 Assam Assembly elections. He stated, “The report was supposed to be released three years ago, but now only one page is being selectively highlighted while important matters like the Umrangso crisis are being overshadowed.”
Referring to the coal mine tragedy, Borah criticized the authorities’ failure to provide clarity on the status of the missing miners. He alleged that one miner, who was rescued alive, claimed that 24-25 others were still trapped, but since then, no updates have been provided. He questioned the lack of accountability, asking, “Why is nobody questioning Debolal Garlosa and his wife?”
Borah also criticized the selective focus on a single page of the 900-page Biplab Sarma Commission report, arguing that it was an attempt to defame former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi. He questioned, “One news channel is only highlighting page 502, which mentions Tarun Gogoi. What about the other pages?”
Further escalating his attack, Borah alleged that Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was involved in Rakesh Paul’s appointment as APSC chairman, stating that three ministers were responsible for the appointment, all of whom are now in the BJP. He claimed, “One is the Chief Minister, another is the Finance Minister, and the third is Gautam Ray.”
Borah also took a personal jibe at the Chief Minister, pointing to his shifting political affiliations over the years, from Bhrigu Phukan to Narendra Modi. He remarked, “When he was in Congress, he criticized Gujarat for the bloodshed of Muslims. Today, there is no bigger Modi loyalist than him.”
The remarks have intensified political tensions in Assam as the state approaches the 2026 Assembly elections, highlighting the polarized political landscape and the strategic narrative-building surrounding the APSC corruption report.