Devasish Sharma has expressed confidence that the BJP will receive major support from minority voters in the Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll, as campaigning gathers pace in Assam.
The former IAS officer, who served as Nagaon’s deputy commissioner, was named the BJP candidate on September 11. He will face Congress candidate Sibamoni Bora, AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal and Trinamool Congress nominee Abdul Salam in the October 6 contest.
Devasish Sharma banks on public connect
Devasish Sharma entered electoral politics after taking voluntary retirement from the civil services. He joined the BJP on September 8, days after leaving government service following 34 years in administration.
The BJP later selected him for the Nagaon seat, which became vacant after former Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi resigned from Parliament and joined the BJP. Bordoloi subsequently won the Dispur Assembly seat in the 2026 Assam polls.
Sharma’s campaign is built partly around his administrative experience and association with local communities. During his tenure as Nagaon district commissioner, he was involved in district-level administration and public outreach.
Minority support becomes a key issue
Devasish Sharma’s claim about minority support comes against the backdrop of Nagaon’s changed electoral profile. The 2023 delimitation exercise brought areas such as Dhing, Rupahihat and Samaguri into the constituency, increasing the share of minority voters.
Recent reports estimate that minority voters account for more than half of the electorate. However, the exact proportion varies across assessments and depends on how the constituency’s demographic data are presented.
The BJP is therefore seeking support beyond its traditional voter base. Political observers have also pointed to the possibility that competition among Congress, AIUDF and Trinamool Congress could divide votes among opposition parties. Such assessments remain campaign analysis rather than a measure of actual voter preference.
What Devasish Sharma is arguing
Devasish Sharma has projected his record as an administrator and his public interactions as reasons for his confidence. Reports have also highlighted his work with the Deepsikha Foundation, which supports cancer patients from Assam seeking treatment in Mumbai.
However, support from particular communities cannot be established before voting takes place. His statement is an assessment by the BJP candidate, not an independently verified forecast of voter behaviour.
Nagaon contest takes shape
The bypoll has become a multi-cornered contest. The Congress has fielded former Batadroba MLA Sibamoni Bora, while AIUDF has chosen Badruddin Ajmal. Trinamool Congress has also entered the race with Abdul Salam.
The presence of multiple candidates could make the distribution of votes across the constituency an important factor. At the same time, each party is seeking to consolidate its own support base and attract voters who may not traditionally back it.
The BJP has presented Devasish Sharma’s administrative background as an asset. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has also highlighted Sharma’s social work, particularly his association with cancer-care initiatives.
Campaign enters a crucial phase
Devasish Sharma’s candidacy has also drawn criticism from Congress leaders over his transition from public administration to electoral politics. Opposition leaders have questioned the timing of his retirement and subsequent BJP candidature.
The BJP and Sharma have defended the decision, while Election Commission-related concerns raised by political opponents have formed part of the wider campaign debate. These competing claims remain political allegations and responses rather than findings of wrongdoing.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission has scheduled voting in Nagaon for October 6, with counting set for October 9. The constituency has 1,339 polling stations and about 19.07 lakh registered voters, according to reports on the election arrangements.
Devasish Sharma faces test beyond his claim
Devasish Sharma’s assertion of major minority support places community outreach at the centre of his campaign message. Yet the actual response of voters will become clear only through the polling process.
The Nagaon bypoll will bring together candidates with different political bases and campaign strategies. Therefore, the contest is likely to remain closely watched as voters decide among the BJP, Congress, AIUDF and Trinamool Congress candidates on October 6.
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