When Party Looks Like A Coalition: Assam BJP's Divided House

As the political landscape in Assam heats up with both the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council elections on April 2 and the state elections barely a year away, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) finds itself grappling with deep-rooted factionalism.

This internal discord threatens to undermine its electoral prospects at a time when a unified front is crucial. The BJP in Assam has long been divided between two primary factions—the "old BJP," consisting of dedicated karyakartas who have been with the party since its inception in the state, and the "new BJP" which includes Congress turncoats who defected under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Old vs. New BJP: A Lingering Divide

The split within the BJP has existed since Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, a former heavyweight Congress Minister, joined the party. His arrival brought a significant influx of Congress defectors into the BJP’s ranks creating a divide.

The consequent fault line between the original BJP loyalists and these new entrants continues to be a point of contention, with the former feeling sidelined by the leadership's preference for turncoats who bring their own networks and influence.

A senior leader from the old BJP faction, speaking on condition of anonymity, lamented, "We built this party from the ground up when no one gave BJP a chance in Assam. Now those who once opposed us are enjoying the power while we are sidelined."

Prominent leaders of the old BJP faction, such as Rajen Gohain and Mrinal Sakia, have openly criticized cabinet ministers Pijush Hazarika and Jayanta Malla Baruah, both of whom are seen as staunch allies of the Chief Minister.

The discontent has even resulted in high-profile exits, such as former BJP MLA from Nalbari, Ashok Sarma, who defected to the Congress last year as his seat has currently been occupied by Jayanta Malla Baruah, further exacerbating tensions.

A member from the new BJP faction defended the shift in power: "Politics is about winning. The old BJP leaders need to understand that times have changed. Without experienced politicians who know how to win elections, the party wouldn’t be where it is today."

Factionalism Within BJYM: A Microcosm of the Larger Struggle

The rift in the BJP is also evident in its youth wing, the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha.

The appointment of Rakesh Das as BJYM President in July 2024 has fueled discontent among party members. Das, who was previously the National Secretary of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, never held an organizational post in BJYM before his appointment.

His selection was a direct consequence of rising factionalism within BJYM, as members originating from the National Students' Union of India (NSUI) and Congress defectors clashed with those who had risen through the ranks of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the BJP's organizational structure.

To quell these tensions, former state BJP President Bhabesh Kalita backed Rakesh Das, hoping his neutral status as an ABVP leader would help bridge the divide. However, this strategy has largely backfired. Das has struggled to command respect from BJYM members, many of whom view him as an outsider with no experience in the organization.

Moreover, BJYM and ABVP, while ideologically aligned, function differently—ABVP is entrenched in student politics and college-level activism, whereas BJYM serves as a training ground for young politicians aspiring for electoral success.

Due to his lack of credibility within BJYM, Das has been unable to form a proper committee and has instead been operating with a coterie of ABVP imports. This has only deepened resentment among BJYM members. To make matters worse, a recent public spat between Rakesh Das and a senior leader has been widely reported by news portals, further highlighting the cracks within the youth wing.

Uncertainty at the Top: Leadership Challenges in BJP Assam

At the state level, the situation is no less precarious.

In January 2025, former state BJP President Bhabesh Kalita was replaced by Dilip Sakia, a Member of Parliament. Sakia, a veteran leader from the party’s cadre, was expected to mitigate factionalism. However, his tenure has begun on shaky ground—despite being in office for months, he has yet to form a state committee.

This delay coming at a critical juncture, with Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council elections just ten days away, reflects the underlying tensions within the party. Leaders are wary of making appointments that could tilt the balance of power within the BJP, further exacerbating existing divisions. The situation raises concerns about how the party will organize itself in time for the 2025 state elections.

The inclusion of Congress defectors has not only disrupted the BJP’s internal dynamics but has also led to disciplinary challenges. Recently, Rupjyoti Kurmi, a former Congress MLA who joined the BJP, was asked by the state party president to apologize for his aggressive remarks in the Assembly.

Such incidents highlight the difficulties of integrating turncoats into the BJP’s disciplined structure, where ideological commitment and organizational discipline are highly valued.

A neutral BJP observer, assessing the situation, commented, "Factionalism is not new to any political party. The challenge for BJP Assam is whether it can manage these differences before the elections. If not, it may cost us dearly.”

The Road Ahead: Can BJP Assam Overcome Its Internal Conflicts?

With the state elections looming, the BJP finds itself at a crossroads. The question remains: Can the party present a united front?

One key factor in this power struggle is former Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. While Himanta Biswa Sarma currently controls the party, there are murmurs of discontent within the ranks of the old BJP faction, which still holds significant influence. Whether Sonowal’s faction can reassert itself remains to be seen.

The challenges faced by the BJP in Assam are not unique but are particularly dangerous given the political climate. The Congress, despite its recent setbacks, could capitalize on BJP’s internal strife to regain lost ground. Additionally, regional parties like the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and the newly emerging forces in Assam politics could also benefit from BJP’s internal discord. However, this seems unlikely.

BJP Assam stands at a critical juncture. While the party has enjoyed electoral success in the past, its growing factionalism poses a significant threat to its dominance in the state. If the leadership fails to address these divisions, the repercussions could be severe in both the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council elections and the state polls next year.

As of now, the BJP’s future in Assam hangs in the balance. Will the party find a way to mend its internal fractures, or will these divisions prove to be its undoing? The answer to this question will shape Assam’s political landscape in the coming months.