Congress Criticizes BJP's Candidate Selection in Nagaon Bypoll

Political Tensions Rise Ahead of Nagaon Bypoll

Guwahati, Sept 13: Gaurav Gogoi, the chief of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC), has criticized the BJP for selecting former Nagaon Deputy Commissioner Devasish Sharma as their candidate for the upcoming Nagaon Assembly bypoll. He claims that dedicated party members are being sidelined in favor of newcomers.

According to Gogoi, long-standing BJP members often face unfair treatment during the distribution of election tickets, while those who join the party later are given opportunities to run for office.

“Every election cycle, veteran BJP members experience injustice, as individuals from outside the party, who have never participated in RSS activities or contributed to the party, are suddenly awarded tickets,” Gogoi stated during a press conference in Beltola, Guwahati.

He pointed out that a similar situation occurred previously when Suresh Bora received a BJP ticket, suggesting that this trend has also been evident in Dispur.

Gogoi also directed his criticism towards Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, alleging that RSS-BJP members are compelled to work for the party while outsiders are appointed to significant political roles.

“He will recruit someone from outside who does not share the party's ideology and elevate that person to a ministerial or MLA position. I feel sympathy for the RSS-BJP supporters,” Gogoi remarked.

Meanwhile, Congress MLA Rakibul Hussain has targeted Sharma regarding his previous role as Nagaon deputy commissioner, accusing him of involvement in the alleged illegal pushback of individuals.

Hussain referenced the case of Mumtaz Begum from the Samaguri constituency, claiming she was unlawfully pushed back. He stated that her husband searched for her in a detention camp in Goalpara but could not locate her.

Hussain further alleged that the High Court found Begum had been illegally pushed back, and claimed Sharma had provided testimony in the case, with his signature appearing on relevant documents.

“The key issue is whether he was involved in her pushback. Since then, he has been affiliated with the BJP,” Hussain alleged.

In response, Sharma stated that he would allow the people of Assam to evaluate his public service record.

“I don’t think we need to act based on someone’s claims. Let him say what he wants. I have dedicated 36 years to public service, and it is the people of Assam, not Rakibul Hussain, who will judge my contributions,” Sharma asserted.

These political exchanges come as opposition parties strategize for the Nagaon bypoll scheduled for October 6.

On Saturday, the Congress, AJP, and CPI(M) convened a meeting in Beltola, attended by former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and AICC General Secretary Bhupesh Baghel, who has recently taken charge of Assam Congress.

AJP President Lurinjyoti Gogoi mentioned that the meeting was part of discussions regarding the alliance's strategy for the bypoll.

“As allies of the Congress, they have suggested we move forward together. We have shared our perspectives,” he noted, adding that the parties also reviewed the results of the recent elections and discussed future plans.

Lurinjyoti emphasized that the AJP opposes both the BJP and AIUDF, and the alliance will determine its role in the coming days.

“We must strategize effectively to defeat the BJP and AIUDF,” he stated.

However, the opposition coalition has recently undergone changes. The Congress ended its alliance with the Raijor Dal on September 3, citing violations of alliance norms and ethics.

With the bypoll approaching on October 6, all eyes are on the Congress, which has yet to announce its candidate for the Nagaon seat.