Guwahati, 16 September (HS): BJP Assam Pradesh spokesperson Dr. Devajit Mahanta on Wednesday described the Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election as what he called the “final battle for self-respect” for Assam Pradesh Congress president Gaurav Gogoi. Addressing a press conference at the BJP Assam Pradesh headquarters, Mahanta alleged that Congress’ decision to field Shivamoni Bora reflected Gogoi’s dependence on the Nagaon constituency, which has a significant minority population.

Mahanta referred to Gogoi’s defeat in the 2026 Jorhat Assembly election and alleged that he failed to win any seat dominated by indigenous voters across Upper, Lower, Central and North Assam. He claimed Nagaon was now Gogoi’s “last hope” ahead of the 2029 Lok Sabha election.

Responding to Gogoi’s criticism of former government officer Debashish Sharma joining the BJP before contesting the bypoll, Mahanta cited examples of former bureaucrats entering electoral politics after leaving government service. He referred to MGVK Bhanu, Ishwar Prasanna Hazarika and former IPS officer Brajenjit Sinha, among others, and questioned why such moves were acceptable when made by Congress leaders but were being questioned when involving the BJP.

Mahanta also targeted Congress over its alliance with the AIUDF before the 2021 Assam Assembly election and responded to Gogoi’s remarks involving the 108 ambulance service.

The BJP spokesperson further accused Congress of being responsible for the killing of one-horned rhinoceroses, alleging that more than 236 rhinos were killed in Assam between 2001 and 2015. He contrasted this with what he described as improved conservation efforts under the BJP-led NDA government, claiming that Assam’s protected areas now host around 80 per cent of the world’s one-horned rhinoceros population.

Mahanta also claimed that minority voters in Nagaon were increasingly supporting the BJP over issues of development and social reforms, including measures against child marriage and polygamy and the abolition of triple talaq.

He concluded by asserting that Gogoi would be defeated in the Nagaon by-election and that the BJP-led NDA would secure a major victory by keeping development at the centre of its campaign.-----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash