Dhubri Congress Chief’s ‘Rakibul Boss’ Remark Sparks Party Rift

A political storm is sweeping across Assam’s Congress circles following a controversial remark made by Abedur Zaman, the President of the Dhubri District Congress Committee. Zaman stirred the hornet’s nest by declaring “My boss is Rakibul,” referring to senior Congress leader and former minister Rakibul Hussain. His statement has triggered outrage within the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) and exposed simmering factionalism in the party’s Dhubri unit.

The remark, made during a press interaction on Wednesday, came in response to questions about alleged irregularities in ticket distribution for the upcoming elections. Zaman’s open declaration of loyalty to Rakibul Hussain, rather than the official leadership of the APCC, has not only intensified internal conflict but also raised questions about authority and discipline within the party.

Soon after the statement surfaced on social media, senior leaders of the Assam Congress took strong exception to Zaman’s words. APCC sources confirmed that the party has already served a show-cause notice to Zaman, demanding an explanation for his remarks and his alleged role in bypassing the party’s prescribed nomination process. Leaders within the APCC view Zaman’s comment as a direct challenge to the authority of the state leadership and a violation of the party’s code of conduct.

The controversy does not end there. Multiple allegations have emerged against Zaman, including claims that he submitted names of candidates for local elections without proper consultation or approval from the APCC. This move reportedly blindsided senior functionaries and created friction between the state unit and the district committee. The APCC leadership is currently reviewing the list of nominations forwarded by the Dhubri DCC and may consider invalidating several of them.

Party insiders revealed that this is not the first time Zaman has acted independently, creating tension within the Dhubri unit. However, his recent actions have crossed a line for many senior members. A few party workers from the district also claimed that Zaman had sidelined grassroots leaders and shown a pattern of unilateral decision-making, favoring a specific faction within the party.

Several APCC leaders met in Guwahati on Thursday evening to discuss the growing crisis. During the meeting, many demanded strong disciplinary action against Zaman, calling his behavior detrimental to the party’s unity and credibility. They expressed concern that such factionalism, if left unchecked, could damage the Congress’s prospects in the upcoming elections.

Meanwhile, Rakibul Hussain has yet to respond to Zaman’s remark. His silence has added fuel to speculation that a powerful faction within the party is attempting to assert dominance in specific districts ahead of the polls. Political observers believe that the Dhubri incident could reflect a broader issue of leadership contestation within the Assam Congress, where different leaders command loyalty from distinct groups of workers.

The situation has placed APCC President Bhupen Kumar Borah in a difficult position. While he has emphasized the importance of discipline and unity, he now faces the task of restoring order without alienating key figures. Speaking to reporters, Borah stressed that no individual is above the party and that any actions undermining the party’s democratic structure will face consequences.

The Congress high command in Delhi has also been alerted about the developments. Sources said the central leadership is closely monitoring the situation and may intervene if the rift continues to widen. A senior party observer may be deputed to Assam to assess the ground realities and mediate between the warring factions.

As the controversy grows, the people of Dhubri watch closely, many expressing disappointment at the chaos within a party that once commanded their strong support. With elections around the corner, the Assam Congress must act swiftly to repair internal damage and regain public trust. If the leadership fails to resolve the crisis decisively, it risks not only losing ground in Dhubri but also suffering a larger setback across the state.