BJP's Devasish Sharma Triumphs in Nagaon By-Election with Significant Margin
BJP Secures Major Win in Nagaon
File image of BJP candidate Devasish Sharma. (Photo:Meta)
Guwahati, Oct 9: In a remarkable outcome, Devasish Sharma, the candidate from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), achieved a resounding victory in the Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election in Assam, defeating Badruddin Ajmal, the leader of the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), by a 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 result signifies a notable political advancement for the BJP, which has successfully taken the constituency from Congress, marking a setback for both the AIUDF and Congress in a contest that has drawn significant attention regarding its impact on Assam's political dynamics.
Expressing gratitude for the victory, Sharma thanked voters from various communities, particularly those in minority areas, and mentioned that he did not foresee winning by such a substantial margin.
“I extend my heartfelt thanks to the people. I am particularly appreciative of the support from voters in minority-dominated regions. They have shown that when provided with the right environment, development, and care, they respond positively,” Sharma stated.
He emphasized that the government's welfare initiatives are inclusive and not limited to any specific community, asserting that the election results reflect public endorsement of these development efforts.
“Our administration has always been inclusive. Development schemes have reached all areas, including Jagiroad, Morigaon, and Laharighat. While I was confident of victory, I did not anticipate such a large margin,” he added.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma characterized the outcome as a testament to 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 remarked that the victory illustrates the BJP's growing support, including among 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 areas. He also claimed that the BJP would have emerged victorious even if Congress and AIUDF had collaborated.
Sarma described the outcome as a significant blow to Congress, indicating that the political landscape in Assam is increasingly becoming a direct contest between the BJP and Ajmal's AIUDF.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the winning candidates and commended BJP workers for their efforts in 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 BJP-NDA,” Modi shared on a microblogging platform.
He congratulated the victorious BJP candidates and praised the dedication of party workers.
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 noted 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.