Sibamoni Bora came under a sharp political attack from Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma at an election rally in Morigaon on Tuesday, September 29. Sarma questioned the Congress candidate’s record as the former MLA of Batadroba and referred to her as a “silent bride” during the campaign.
The remarks came as campaigning intensified for the Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll, scheduled for October 6. Congress has fielded Bora against BJP-led NDA candidate Devashish Sharma, while AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal is also contesting the seat.
Himanta questions Sibamoni Bora’s record
Sarma’s main criticism focused on Bora’s tenure as the elected representative of Batadroba. He alleged that she represented the constituency for five years but did not raise the issue of Batadroba Than in the Assam Legislative Assembly.
The Chief Minister used the remark to question Bora’s record in the constituency. His comments formed part of the BJP-led campaign against Congress ahead of the bypoll.
However, the allegation remains a political claim made during an election campaign. The available reports do not provide an independent assessment of the number or nature of issues Bora raised in the Assembly during her tenure.
Sibamoni Bora enters a wider bypoll contest
Sibamoni Bora was previously elected from Batadroba in the 2021 Assam Assembly election. She defeated the sitting BJP MLA Angoorlata Deka by 32,820 votes, according to a profile published earlier this month. Bora had entered electoral politics after working as a Block Development Officer.
Her selection for the Nagaon bypoll has brought her into a larger parliamentary contest. The seat fell vacant after former Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi resigned from the Lok Sabha following his election to the Assam Assembly from Dispur.
Meanwhile, Bora has already begun campaigning across the constituency. On September 15, she participated in a workers’ meeting and bike rally in the Samaguri segment along with Congress leaders, including MP Rakibul Hussain and MLA Tanzil Hussain.
Congress and BJP sharpen their campaign
The contest has grown increasingly active in recent days. BJP leaders have stepped up campaigning for Devashish Sharma, while Congress has brought senior leaders into the constituency to support Bora.
Sarma has also targeted Congress MP Rakibul Hussain during his Morigaon rally. According to reports, the Chief Minister said that if Hussain’s visits to Samaguri proved beneficial, he would invite him to visit the constituency two or three more times.
The campaign has also seen allegations and counter-allegations between the two parties. Congress leaders alleged that a campaign convoy carrying senior leaders was targeted during a visit to Samaguri earlier this month. Sarma disputed the Congress account and said the confrontation involved rival factions within the party. The circumstances and responsibility for the incident remained disputed.
Sibamoni Bora faces a high-profile election battle
The political exchanges highlight the intensity of the Nagaon bypoll campaign as voting day approaches. The contest brings together the BJP-led alliance, Congress and AIUDF in a constituency where several assembly segments have become important campaign centres.
For Sibamoni Bora, the campaign also marks a move from state-level politics to a parliamentary contest. Her previous record in Batadroba is now being used by opponents as part of their election messaging, while Congress continues to campaign around its own political issues and leadership.
Overall, Sarma’s latest remarks add another layer to an increasingly competitive campaign. With the October 6 vote approaching, both sides are using rallies and public meetings to challenge their opponents.
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