BJP's Devasish Sharma Triumphs in Nagaon Lok Sabha By-Election

BJP Secures Victory in Nagaon

Guwahati, Oct 9: In a significant political development, Devasish Sharma, the candidate from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), achieved a remarkable victory in the Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election in Assam. He defeated Badruddin Ajmal, the chief of the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), by a substantial margin of 141,775 votes, as per the Election Commission's updates by 10 PM on Friday.

Sharma, a former IAS officer, garnered a total of 713,893 votes, while Ajmal received 572,118 votes. The Congress candidate, Sibamoni Bora, trailed significantly with only 129,413 votes.

This outcome represents a notable gain for the BJP, which has successfully taken the constituency from the Congress, marking a setback for both the AIUDF and Congress in a contest that has drawn considerable attention regarding its impact on Assam's political dynamics.

Following his victory, Sharma expressed gratitude to voters from various communities, particularly those in areas with significant minority populations, and admitted he had not anticipated such a large margin of victory.

“I extend my heartfelt thanks to the people. I am especially appreciative of the support from voters in minority-dominated regions. This shows that when the right environment for development and care is provided, people respond positively,” Sharma stated.

He emphasized that the government's welfare initiatives are inclusive and not limited to any specific community, asserting that the results reflect public endorsement of these development efforts.

“Our administration has consistently implemented development schemes across all regions, including Jagiroad, Morigaon, and Laharighat. While I was confident about winning, I did not foresee such a vast margin,” he remarked.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma characterized the election results as indicative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's widespread appeal and the public's trust in his vision for a developed India.

After the results were announced, Sarma noted that the victory illustrates the BJP's growing support base, which now includes indigenous and minority voters.

“The BJP has dedicated the last 12 years to serving the people, and this result reflects that commitment. Individuals who were once hesitant to vote for us are now showing their support. We are thankful and will persist in our efforts for their welfare,” he stated.

The Chief Minister asserted that the BJP has never been against minorities, highlighting that government programs and development initiatives have positively impacted residents in minority-heavy areas. He also claimed that the BJP would have emerged victorious even if the Congress and AIUDF had collaborated.

Sarma described the outcome as a significant defeat for the Congress, suggesting that the political landscape in Assam is increasingly becoming a direct contest between the BJP and Ajmal's AIUDF.

Prime Minister Modi congratulated the winning candidates and commended BJP workers for their dedication during the recent by-elections.

“I am grateful to the people for their ongoing support! The Lok Sabha results from Nagaon (Assam) and the Assembly results from Nandigram and Rejinagar (West Bengal) reaffirm the public's strong connection with the good governance agenda of the BJP-NDA,” Modi shared on a microblogging platform.

He praised the victorious BJP candidates and acknowledged the hard work of party members.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also celebrated the BJP's success in the by-elections, attributing the NDA's victories to the public's backing of Modi's leadership. In a post on a microblogging site, Shah remarked that the party continues to win elections despite what he termed misinformation campaigns by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and the INDIA bloc.

He congratulated Sarma, state party leaders, and BJP workers for their contributions.