Archive · 12 Sep 2026
Baghel Blames BJP Government for Nagaon Lok Sabha Bypoll
A special election is being held for the Nagaon seat in India’s Parliament.
It became necessary after Pradyut Bordoloi left Congress and joined the BJP.
Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel said people should not have to vote again because of this change.
He questioned why Bordoloi switched parties.
Baghel also criticized the BJP’s candidate, Debashish Sharma, over his previous government role.
He accused the government of allowing illegal mining that worsened flooding in parts of Assam.
He said expensive fuel, food and farming supplies were hurting ordinary people.
Congress has not yet announced its candidate.
Baghel said these issues could influence the by-election.
Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel alleged that the Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election was imposed on voters by Assam’s BJP government.
The bypoll became necessary after former Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi resigned and joined the BJP before Assam’s assembly elections.
Baghel questioned why Bordoloi changed parties and alleged that the reasons were being concealed by Bordoloi and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
He accused the BJP’s candidate, former IAS officer Debashish Sharma, of participating in an Election Commission meeting before resigning from government service.
Baghel said floods, alleged illegal mining, rising prices and fertilizer shortages would be major issues in the by-election.
- Who
- Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel, former MP Pradyut Bordoloi, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and BJP candidate Debashish Sharma are central figures.
- What
- A Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election has been scheduled after Bordoloi left Congress and joined the BJP; Baghel criticized the bypoll and the state government.
- When
- Baghel made the allegations on Saturday, September 12, after a day-long meeting with Assam Congress leaders and workers.
- Where
- The election concerns the Nagaon Lok Sabha constituency in Assam; Baghel also discussed flooding in Upper Assam.
- Why
- The by-election was necessitated by Bordoloi’s resignation from the Congress-held Lok Sabha seat and subsequent move to the BJP.
- Constituency
- Nagaon Lok Sabha constituency, Assam
- Reason for bypoll
- Pradyut Bordoloi resigned as Congress MP and joined the BJP
- BJP candidate
- Former IAS officer Debashish Sharma
- Congress candidate
- To be announced, according to Bhupesh Baghel
- Baghel’s allegations
- The BJP government imposed the bypoll and mishandled flooding and other state issues
- Flood-related claims
- Baghel attributed severe flooding in parts of Upper Assam to alleged illegal mining with government patronage
- Other campaign issues
- Rising prices of fuel, cooking gas, sugar and edible oil, along with fertilizer shortages