Golap Borbora: A Centenary Tribute to Assam’s First Non-Congress Chief Minister

DIPAK KURMI

As Assam observes the birth centenary of Golap Borbora, its first non-Congress Chief Minister, it is an opportune moment to reflect on the extraordinary journey of a man who embodied resistance, reform, and moral courage. His life was deeply interwoven with the struggles of ordinary people, from peasants and workers to students and cultural voices, and his political legacy continues to resonate across generations. Borbora’s tenure at the helm of Assam’s government may have lasted less than a year, but his imprint on the state’s political imagination remains profound. His story is not simply that of a political leader but of an individual who lived and died with integrity, standing for principles when compromise would have been easier.

Early Life and Education

Golap Borbora was born on August 29, 1925, at Purona Amalapatti in Golaghat, Assam, into a family that placed immense value on education and honesty despite financial limitations. His father, Komol Borbora, was an executive officer at the Digboi Oil Company, and his mother, Puniyaprova Borbora, anchored the family through turbulent times. The family’s fortunes changed when Komol resigned during a prolonged strike at the oil company, and hardship became a familiar companion. When young Golap was three years old, the family moved to Sripuria, Tinsukia, following his father’s employment at Digboi, and it was there that he spent his formative years.

Even amid modest means, Borbora’s family emphasized learning. He received his primary education in Sripuria before moving on to Senairam High School, Tinsukia. To support his higher studies, he worked briefly in the Labour Department of the Digboi Oil Company. His intellectual ability shone early: in 1944, he passed the entrance examination with a first division, and in 1947, he graduated with distinction in the ISC from Bangabasi College under the University of Calcutta. This period was not merely an academic journey but also a moral awakening. The final years of the freedom struggle were unfolding around him, and his political outlook was deeply influenced by Mahatma Gandhi’s ideas and, more significantly, by socialist leaders like Ram Manohar Lohia and Jayaprakash Narayan.

The struggles he witnessed around him in the tea gardens, oil fields, and among daily wage earners shaped his sympathy for the working classes. Equally, his immersion in Assamese literature and culture instilled a lifelong commitment to preserving regional identity even while embracing progressive reform. These twin influences—socialist politics and Assamese culture—became the bedrock of his later political career.

Entry into Politics

By the mid-1940s, Borbora had already stepped into the world of student activism and local political movements. After completing his ISC, he briefly taught at Tinsukia High School but soon resigned, deciding instead to dedicate his life to the Socialist Party and trade union movements. His ability to organize, to speak with clarity, and to place himself among the working masses made him stand out. The years following Independence were challenging for Assam, where issues of regional neglect and economic inequality deepened. For Borbora, politics was not an avenue of personal gain but a moral responsibility to address these inequities.

Throughout the 1950s, he became an active figure in trade unions, representing the struggles of workers, farmers, and marginalized communities. His leadership was recognized early when he led an agitation demanding an oil refinery in Assam. For this, he was arrested in 1957, an experience that hardened his resolve to confront entrenched power structures. His arrest was emblematic of his larger approach: he did not shy away from confrontation if it meant advancing justice.

By the 1960s, Borbora had grown into a national figure within the Socialist Party. His commitment was rewarded in 1965 when he became the National General Secretary of the United Socialist Party, giving him a platform to voice Assam’s concerns at the national stage. In 1968, he entered the Rajya Sabha, becoming the first opposition MP from Assam. His speeches earned him admiration across party lines for their clarity, integrity, and deep sense of justice.

The 1970s and the Road to Chief Ministership

The 1970s were tumultuous years in Indian politics. Golap Borbora played a significant role in the Janata movement that rose in opposition to Indira Gandhi’s increasingly authoritarian rule. During the 1974 railway strike, one of the largest industrial actions in India’s history, Borbora was imprisoned. His unwavering opposition to authoritarianism reached a peak during the Emergency (1975–1977). Like many prominent opposition leaders, Borbora was jailed for 19 months in Tihar Jail. Yet, rather than weakening him, this incarceration only sharpened his image as a leader of principle.

After the lifting of the Emergency, the Janata Party emerged as a nationwide force, and in 1977, Borbora was appointed the Assam state unit president. Riding the wave of anti-Congress sentiment, he led the Janata Party to a historic victory in Assam, securing 53 seats in the assembly elections. For the first time since Independence, the Congress monopoly in Assam was broken. On March 12, 1978, Golap Borbora was unanimously elected as Chief Minister of Assam, making history as the state’s first non-Congress Chief Minister.

Governance and Reforms

Although his tenure lasted only 11 months, from March 1978 to September 1979, Borbora’s administration introduced reforms that were bold, people-centric, and reflective of his socialist ideals. His government exempted land revenue for farmers with holdings of up to 10 bighas, providing relief to tens of thousands of small cultivators. Land reform measures, including ceilings on holdings and redistribution to landless families, were introduced to reduce rural inequality.

Education was another priority. His government exempted fees for students up to HSLC level and extended free education to all girls up to high school. Hundreds of new schools were established, adult literacy campaigns were launched, and Assamese was strengthened as a medium of instruction. The focus on mother tongue education was in line with his philosophy that cultural preservation and progress must go hand in hand.

Healthcare reforms were equally transformative. Free medical treatment was introduced in government hospitals, making healthcare accessible to rural and marginalized communities for the first time. His government also allowed free movement of food grains within the state, eliminating barriers that had previously hurt ordinary citizens.

Administrative reforms became a hallmark of his leadership style. Determined to reduce corruption and bureaucratic hurdles, Borbora made the Chief Minister’s office more accessible. Citizens could directly approach him with grievances, a practice that symbolized his commitment to participatory democracy. This philosophy of open-door governance set new standards in transparency and responsiveness.

Social welfare programs were expanded to cover workers, widows, and vulnerable groups. Pensions, relief aid, and health support were introduced to improve the conditions of marginalized communities. The government’s initiatives produced measurable results: administrative delays were reduced by 75 percent, rural literacy increased by 60 percent, and agricultural productivity rose by 40 percent.

Challenges and the Fall of Government

Despite his achievements, Borbora’s government faced formidable challenges. His attempts to curb the influx of illegal immigrants from neighboring countries stirred controversy, as the issue was deeply intertwined with Assam’s socio-political fabric. At the same time, his move to dismantle the liquor monopoly in the tea garden belts threatened entrenched economic interests. These reformist measures, while progressive, cost him the support of powerful lobbies, contributing to the fall of his government in September 1979.

Yet, even after his government ended, Borbora was remembered as a leader who dared to confront systemic issues that others avoided. His 11 months in office remain etched in Assam’s history as a period of principled governance rooted in social justice.

Later Years and Legacy

After leaving the Chief Minister’s office, Borbora continued to serve the people, though he gradually withdrew from active politics. He devoted himself to social causes and educational initiatives, mentoring younger leaders and speaking on issues of democracy and justice. In his later years, he suffered from age-related ailments and passed away on March 19, 2006, at the age of 83.

His family has carried forward his legacy in different ways. His son, Pankaj Borbora, has been associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party, while his grandson, Abhinav P. Borbora, presides over the College Students Welfare Committee (CSWC), an NGO that commemorates his contributions. The CSWC Golap Borbora Scholarship Programme provides financial assistance to meritorious students, and the annual Golap Borbora Memorial Lecture continues to foster dialogue on democracy, governance, and social justice.

The Lasting Significance of His Leadership

Golap Borbora’s life exemplifies the transformative power of principled politics. His reforms in land, education, healthcare, and welfare programs directly touched the lives of thousands. His insistence on transparency and open governance remains a benchmark in Assam’s administrative history. More importantly, he demonstrated that leadership rooted in honesty, social justice, and empathy could challenge entrenched power and inspire people.

His emphasis on cultural preservation alongside modern reform continues to guide Assamese identity politics, proving that progress does not have to come at the cost of tradition. In his words and actions, Borbora embodied a philosophy of participatory democracy, where citizens were not passive recipients of governance but active shapers of policy.

As Assam marks his centenary, Golap Borbora’s legacy stands as a reminder that true political leadership is not measured by the length of tenure but by the depth of integrity and impact. His journey from the tea gardens and classrooms of Tinsukia to the Chief Minister’s office in Dispur symbolizes the story of a man who never compromised with power but instead used it to serve. His centenary is therefore not just an occasion for remembrance but a call to renew faith in politics as a force for justice, dignity, and hope.

(Email: dipakkurmiglpltd@gmail.com)