Nagaon Lok Sabha Bypoll: AIUDF, Congress, and BJP Intensify Campaigns
Nagaon Bypoll Contest Heats Up
A file image of AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal. (Photo: PTI)
Guwahati, Aug 16: The political landscape for the upcoming Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll is becoming increasingly competitive, with the AIUDF, Congress, and BJP ramping up their efforts and refining their strategies.
Badruddin Ajmal, the leader of AIUDF, claimed on Sunday that the Congress party would refrain from nominating a Muslim candidate for the bypoll, alleging that directives from the party's central leadership were behind this decision.
“They might nominate Shibamoni (Bora) or another candidate, but not a Muslim. I challenge them on this. The instruction has come from Delhi,” Ajmal stated during a press briefing.
The AIUDF has already announced Rejaul Karim Sarkar as its candidate for the bypoll.
Ajmal also responded to Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Gaurav Gogoi, who criticized his visits to flood-affected regions in Upper Assam, implying they were politically motivated.
In his defense, Ajmal accused Gogoi of being intimidated by the AIUDF and clarified that his visits were purely humanitarian. “When I visited Sivasagar, I noticed that 99 percent of the area is under Gogoi’s jurisdiction. I have no vested interest there. We represent only 10 percent of the population, so why would I go there? My focus is on helping people, not political maneuvering,” he remarked.
Ajmal expressed optimism about the AIUDF's chances in the Nagaon bypoll, confidently predicting electoral success. “Pray for us. Within three months, one of our candidates will be in the Lok Sabha. We are set to secure a permanent seat in Parliament,” he asserted.
Earlier, Gogoi expressed his belief that the Congress would triumph in the Nagaon bypoll, dismissing any notion that the AIUDF's strategies would influence their own.
On the other hand, the BJP acknowledged the challenges ahead but affirmed its commitment to retaining the seat. Assam BJP president Dilip Saikia characterized the bypoll as a “difficult and demanding” contest, emphasizing their determination to campaign for victory.
As the three parties sharpen their strategies, the Nagaon bypoll is shaping up to be a multi-faceted contest. The final candidate selections and campaign tactics will likely play a crucial role in determining the outcome of this electoral battle.