Nagaon (Assam), 29 September (HS): Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday stepped up his campaign for BJP-led NDA candidate Devashish Sharma in the Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll, addressing his first election meeting at Batadrava.

Taking aim at the Congress, Sarma said the party had become a “deflated football” and alleged that voting for it would serve no purpose. He claimed that a Congress defeat in the Nagaon bypoll would lead to the party becoming “completely wiped out” by 2031. Sarma further said the BJP-led alliance would win all 126 Assembly constituencies in Assam in the 2031 election.

The Chief Minister also criticised Congress candidate Sibamoni Bora, referring to her as a “silent daughter”. He alleged that during her tenure as Batadrava MLA, she did not raise any issue concerning the constituency in the Assembly. Sarma questioned what she would say in Parliament among 400-500 MPs if she remained silent even among 126 MLAs.

Sarma also urged senior Congress leader Rakibul Hussain to introspect over the response he was receiving during his campaign. He alleged that people were showing black flags and protesting at places visited by Hussain and said the Congress leader should examine the reasons behind such reactions.

Speaking about the Nagaon contest, Sarma said voters were looking for development. While acknowledging that Nagaon was not a traditionally favourable constituency for the BJP, he claimed that the prevailing political atmosphere indicated growing support for the party.

The Chief Minister also expressed hope that minority voters would support the BJP in greater numbers than in previous elections. He said voters would cast their ballots in favour of development.

Sarma's campaign forms part of the BJP-led NDA's election outreach for Devashish Sharma ahead of the October 6 Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll.----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash