Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Nagaon Lok Sabha Bypoll Sets BJP, Congress and AIUDF Against Each Other
People in Nagaon are voting to choose a new member of Parliament.
The main candidates are from the BJP, Congress and AIUDF.
The seat became vacant after Pradyut Bordoloi left Congress, joined the BJP and won an Assam Assembly seat.
The BJP chose former Nagaon official Debashish Sharma, while Congress chose Sibamoni Bora.
AIUDF leader Badruddin Ajmal is also running.
Congress says AIUDF's campaign could split votes against the BJP, but AIUDF says it is running independently.
The parties also disagree about who was responsible for an alleged attack on a Congress convoy.
Campaign leaders traded personal insults as well as political criticisms.
The articles say voting is taking place today or on Tuesday, and counting is scheduled for October 9.
The Nagaon by-election is a three-way contest between BJP candidate Debashish Sharma, Congress candidate Sibamoni Bora and AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal.
The seat became vacant after Pradyut Bordoloi left Congress, joined the BJP and won the Dispur Assembly seat in the 2026 Assam election.
Sharma, a former Nagaon Deputy Commissioner, retired from the IAS on September 3, joined the BJP on September 8 and was nominated shortly afterward.
Congress alleges AIUDF's candidacy could divide votes opposed to the BJP; AIUDF rejects the claim and says it is contesting independently.
The campaign included competing claims over an alleged attack on a Congress convoy; vote counting is scheduled for October 9.
- Who
- BJP candidate Debashish Sharma, Congress candidate Sibamoni Bora and AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal are contesting.
- What
- A by-election is being held for the Nagaon Lok Sabha seat.
- When
- The articles describe polling as taking place today and on Tuesday; the date is not specified. Counting is scheduled for October 9.
- Where
- Nagaon, Assam, India.
- Why
- The seat became vacant after Pradyut Bordoloi left Congress, joined the BJP and won the Dispur Assembly seat.
Congress claims
AIUDF and BJP responses
AIUDF's effect on opposition votes
Congress claims
Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi alleges that AIUDF's decision to field Ajmal could divide votes opposed to the BJP.
AIUDF and BJP responses
AIUDF rejects the allegation and says it is contesting independently.
Responsibility for the reported convoy attack
Congress claims
Gaurav Gogoi alleged that BJP workers targeted a Congress convoy with stones and bottles in the Barma area of Samaguri; he later filed a complaint.
AIUDF and BJP responses
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma disputed Congress's account and blamed rival groups within Congress.
Review of Sharma's election-related decisions
Congress claims
Congress MP Rakibul Hussain sought scrutiny of decisions made while Sharma served as district election officer, citing Sharma's move from administration into electoral politics.
AIUDF and BJP responses
The articles report no direct BJP response to that request.
- Constituency
- Nagaon Lok Sabha seat, Assam
- BJP candidate
- Debashish Sharma, former Nagaon Deputy Commissioner
- Congress candidate
- Sibamoni Bora, former Batadroba MLA
- AIUDF candidate
- Badruddin Ajmal, the party chief
- Previous MP
- Pradyut Bordoloi; he left Congress, joined the BJP and won the Dispur Assembly seat
- 2024 Nagaon result
- Pradyut Bordoloi received 788,850 votes; BJP's Suresh Borah received 576,619; AIUDF's Aminul Islam received 137,340
- AIUDF vote share
- Nearly 8.9% in Nagaon in the 2024 Lok Sabha election
- Counting
- Scheduled for October 9
