Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll: BJP eyes minority vote as buzz grows over DC Devasish Sharma’s political plunge

A CORRESPONDENT

NAGAON: The by-election to the vacant Nagaon Lok Sabha constituency is likely to be held in September. The seat fell vacant after Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi resigned from both his parliamentary seat and the Congress party ahead of the 2026 Assam Assembly election. He subsequently joined the BJP, contested the Dispur Assembly constituency as the party’s candidate, and won the election.

With the by-election approaching, the BJP, along with other political parties, has intensified its preparations. The BJP is making concerted efforts to retain this strategically important parliamentary constituency.

The Nagaon Lok Sabha constituency has more than 1.9 million voters, of whom over 1.1 million belong to minority communities. In the Assembly segments of Samaguri, Rupahihat, Dhing, and Lahorighat, minority voters constitute more than 90 per cent of the electorate. Political observers believe that the BJP is looking for a candidate capable of attracting significant support from minority voters.

Against this backdrop, the name of Nagaon District Commissioner Devasish Sharma has recently gained considerable attention on social media. Several local digital news portals and online media platforms have also reported on the speculation. According to discussions circulating on social media, Sharma may opt for voluntary retirement from government service and enter active politics. However, the district commissioner has not made any official statement regarding these reports.

Devasish Sharma has served as the district commissioner of both Morigaon and Nagaon for several years and is regarded as a popular administrator in both districts. He is believed to enjoy considerable public goodwill, particularly in the minority-dominated areas of Samaguri, Rupahihat, Juria, Dhing, Moirabari, Lahorighat, and the riverine (char) regions. He has also earned appreciation for extending assistance to cancer patients seeking medical treatment.

Meanwhile, several names are already being discussed as potential BJP candidates for the by-election, including BJP state leader and social worker Abhijit Nath, former MLA Angoorlata Deka, Nagaon District BJP President Suvarna Sing, and several other aspirants. Devasish Sharma’s name has now been added to that list.

According to a reliable source, Devasish Sharma may resign from government service and join the BJP after receiving the approval of the state BJP leadership and Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma. However, this claim has not yet been officially confirmed by either Sharma or the BJP.

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