Nagaon (Assam), 23 September (HS): Assam BJP president Dilip Saikia on Wednesday claimed that any criticism of the party’s Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll candidate Debashish Sharma by Congress MP Rakibul Hussain could benefit the BJP, alleging that around 10,000 minority votes could shift in the party’s favour.

Addressing a BJP workers’ convention at Juria in Rupohihat, Saikia said, “Whenever Rakibul Hussain says something against BJP candidate Debashish Sharma, around 10,000 votes from the minority community automatically move towards the BJP.”

Around 500 BJP workers from different organisational Mandals attended the interaction and strategy meeting, held as part of the party’s preparations for the October 6 Lok Sabha bypoll.

The meeting discussed campaign plans and organisational mobilisation across the constituency. BJP leaders also highlighted the development initiatives of the state government while seeking support for Sharma.

Barhampur MLA Jitu Goswami, Nagaon district BJP president Subarna Singh, party leader Suresh Bora and several district-level office-bearers and workers attended the meeting.

The Nagaon Lok Sabha seat fell vacant after former Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi won the Dispur Assembly constituency in the 2026 state elections. The BJP has nominated former Nagaon Deputy Commissioner Debashish Sharma, who took voluntary retirement from the IAS on September 3 and joined the BJP on September 8.

Congress has fielded former Batadroba MLA Sibamoni Bora, while AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal is also in the fray.

With polling scheduled for October 6, political parties have intensified their organisational and campaign activities across Nagaon ahead of the bypoll.-----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash