Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has expressed confidence that the BJP will win the upcoming Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll. He said he did not see a serious contest in the constituency.
Speaking to reporters on September 28, Sarma said the BJP was set to win the seat. He also described the contest as one where he did not see a major challenge to the party.
His remarks came as campaigning intensified ahead of the October 6 bypoll. The election has attracted attention because Nagaon has traditionally been associated with the Congress.
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BJP fields Debashish Sharma
The BJP-led NDA has fielded former IAS officer Debashish Sharma as its candidate. Sharma recently retired from the civil service before entering electoral politics.
Sarma has publicly backed Sharma during the campaign. He has described the BJP candidate as educated and capable of serving the constituency.
The Chief Minister has also taken part in several campaign programmes to support Sharma. He began an intensive campaign in Nagaon on September 28 and addressed a public meeting in Raha.
The BJP plans several more campaign programmes before polling day.
Nagaon has traditionally been a Congress seat
Despite his confidence, Sarma has acknowledged that Nagaon is not traditionally a BJP stronghold.
The constituency has a long association with the Congress. Sarma himself has previously noted this political history while discussing the upcoming bypoll.
The Nagaon Lok Sabha seat became vacant after former Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi resigned. Bordoloi later joined the BJP and contested the Assam Assembly election from Dispur.
The vacancy triggered the October 6 bypoll.
Three-way contest takes shape
The Nagaon bypoll has developed into a three-way contest involving the BJP, Congress and AIUDF.
The BJP-led alliance has nominated Debashish Sharma. Congress has fielded former Batadroba MLA Sibamoni Bora. AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal is also contesting the election.
The presence of multiple candidates has made the campaign closely watched across Assam.
Political parties have stepped up rallies and public meetings across the constituency. Leaders from the major parties have also increased their outreach to voters.
Sarma highlights changing political support
Sarma has repeatedly argued that the political situation in Nagaon has changed.
Earlier this month, he said the BJP had noticed a shift in voter sentiment. At the same time, he acknowledged that the constituency had historically favoured the Congress.
The Chief Minister has also pointed to BJP support in several minority-dominated Assembly segments within the parliamentary constituency.
He said BJP candidates received significant votes in areas such as Rupohihat and Laharighat during the recent Assembly election. Sarma used these figures to argue that the party has support beyond its traditional voter base.
BJP intensifies campaign across constituency
The BJP has planned an extensive campaign ahead of polling.
Sarma is scheduled to address multiple public meetings across Nagaon. Reports said he plans to hold 16 election meetings covering eight Assembly segments in the constituency.
His campaign began with a rally in Raha on September 28. Senior state leaders also joined the campaign programme.
The BJP’s campaign has focused on development and the performance of the state government.
Congress also steps up campaign
The Congress has responded by intensifying its own campaign in the constituency.
Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, who is handling Congress responsibilities in Assam, has criticised the BJP government during the campaign.
Baghel has accused the BJP of using intimidation during the election campaign. The BJP has rejected such allegations.
The campaign has therefore featured both development-related issues and accusations between rival political parties.
Polling scheduled for October 6
The Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll will take place on October 6. Counting will follow on October 9.
Candidates and political parties have limited time remaining to campaign before voting begins. Leaders are using rallies, public meetings and local outreach programmes to appeal to voters.
The constituency includes several Assembly segments with different demographic and political profiles. This has made the campaign particularly significant for the major parties.
Sarma links Nagaon to BJP’s wider plans
Sarma has previously attached broader political significance to the Nagaon contest.
Earlier in September, he said a BJP victory in Nagaon could indicate a major shift in Assam’s political landscape. He even linked such a result to the BJP’s prospects in the next Assembly election.
Those remarks underline the importance the Chief Minister places on the bypoll.
However, the outcome will ultimately depend on the votes cast on October 6 and the counting process on October 9.
BJP’s confidence faces electoral test
Sarma’s latest “no contest” remark reflects his confidence in the BJP’s campaign and candidate. The party is seeking to win a constituency that has traditionally been difficult for it.
The Congress and AIUDF are also campaigning actively. Both parties are seeking support across the constituency.
With polling approaching, the Nagaon bypoll 2026 has emerged as an important electoral contest in Assam. Sarma has publicly predicted a BJP victory, while the competing parties continue their campaigns ahead of voting day.