Guwahati, 11 September (HS): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday formally nominated former bureaucrat and former Nagaon District Commissioner Devasish Sharma as its candidate for the upcoming Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election in Assam. The decision was taken by the party's Central Election Committee, ending days of speculation over the BJP's choice for the prestigious seat.

Sharma took voluntary retirement from government service on September 3 and joined the BJP at the party's state headquarters in Guwahati on September 8. His entry into electoral politics has already triggered a political controversy, with Congress leaders questioning his political neutrality during his tenure as Nagaon DC and District Election Officer.

The Nagaon Lok Sabha seat fell vacant after two-time Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi resigned from the party and subsequently joined the BJP. Bordoloi later contested and won the Dispur Assembly seat in the April 2026 Assam elections.

Polling for the Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election is scheduled for October 6, while counting of votes will be held on October 9. The BJP's nomination of Sharma sets the stage for a keen contest, with the Congress yet to announce its candidate, while the Trinamool Congress and AIUDF have also entered the electoral race.

Congress leaders, including Dhubri MP Rakibul Hussain and state president Gaurav Gogoi, have approached the Election Commission of India seeking an independent inquiry into decisions taken during Sharma's tenure as DC. The BJP has defended his candidature, maintaining that there is no legal bar on a retired civil servant entering active politics.-----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash