Nagaon bypoll: Baghel alleges BJP-AIUDF understanding, targets Himanta Sarma
Synopsis
Congress's Bhupesh Baghel has publicly accused Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal of a covert electoral understanding in Nagaon — a politically explosive charge with no supporting evidence offered. With the Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll on 6 October and Congress deploying 40 star campaigners, the constituency is shaping up as Assam's most watched contest of the year.
Key Takeaways
Congress General Secretary Bhupesh Baghel alleged a BJP-AIUDF understanding in Nagaon on 21 September 2026 , targeting CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal .
Baghel offered no specific evidence or incidents to back the claim.
Congress has submitted a list of 40 star campaigners to the Election Commission of India , filed by K.C.
Venugopal on 16 September .
Key campaigners include Gaurav Gogoi , Kanhaiya Kumar , Pawan Khera , and Supriya Shrinate , among others.
Polling for the Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election is on 6 October ; counting on 9 October .
Congress General Secretary and Assam in-charge Bhupesh Baghel on Monday, 21 September 2026, alleged a visible political understanding between Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) chief Badruddin Ajmal in the run-up to the Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election, scheduled for 6 October. Speaking to the media in Nagaon, Baghel framed the allegation as a direct challenge to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led alliance ahead of what is expected to be a tightly contested multipolar race.
What Baghel Alleged
'Right now, elections are underway here in Nagaon, and the alliance between Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal is visible here,' Baghel said. However, the Congress leader did not provide specific incidents or documentary evidence to substantiate the claim. Critics of such allegations typically point out the absence of formal coalition announcements between the two parties — a gap that Baghel's remarks did not address. Notably, the BJP and AIUDF have historically positioned themselves as ideological adversaries in Assam's electoral landscape, making the allegation politically charged.
Congress Deploys Star Campaign Brigade
Separately, Congress has filed a list of 40 star campaigners for the Nagaon bypoll with the Election Commission of India (ECI). The list was submitted by Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal on 16 September under Section 77(1) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Prominent names on the list include Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi, Congress MP Wazed Ali Choudhury, former Assam minister Rakibul Hussain, and party spokespersons Pawan Khera and Supriya Shrinate. NSUI national president Uday Bhanu Chib and Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar are also listed.
Other senior campaigners named include Assam Congress Legislative Party leader Debabrata Saikia, former state Congress president Ripun Bora, former minister Paban Singh Ghatowar, Alka Lamba, Imran Pratapgarhi, Srinivas BV, and former Tripura minister Sudip Roy Barman. The breadth of the list signals Congress's intent to mount a serious campaign in a seat the party cannot afford to lose if it hopes to revive its standing in Assam.
Electoral Stakes in Nagaon
The Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election is set for 6 October, with vote counting on 9 October. The contest is expected to be multi-cornered, drawing in Congress, the BJP-led alliance, AIUDF, and other regional formations. This comes amid a broader political realignment in Assam, where minority-heavy constituencies like Nagaon have historically swung on community consolidation. The outcome will be closely watched as an early indicator of the state's political mood ahead of the 2026 Assam Assembly elections.
What Comes Next
With less than three weeks to polling day, all major parties are intensifying ground-level mobilisation. Congress's deployment of nationally recognised figures alongside local Assam leaders suggests a dual strategy: generating media visibility while reinforcing grassroots networks. How the BJP-led alliance responds to Baghel's allegations — and whether the AIUDF publicly rebuts or remains silent — could shape the final weeks of campaigning.
Point of View
Which limits its credibility beyond the party faithful. More revealing is Congress's 40-name star-campaigner list: it reflects genuine anxiety about holding ground in a constituency where minority vote consolidation and tribal sentiment can shift outcomes sharply. If Baghel's charge lands, it may peel away AIUDF-leaning voters toward Congress. If it is dismissed as rhetoric, it risks reinforcing a perception that the party substitutes allegations for ground strategy.
NationPress
21 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Bhupesh Baghel allege about Himanta Sarma and the Nagaon bypoll?
Bhupesh Baghel alleged that a political understanding between Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal was visible in the Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election campaign. He did not provide specific evidence or incidents to support the claim.
When is the Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election?
Polling for the Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election is scheduled for 6 October 2026, with counting of votes on 9 October 2026.
Who are the key Congress star campaigners for Nagaon?
Congress has named 40 star campaigners, including Bhupesh Baghel, Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi, Kanhaiya Kumar, Pawan Khera, Supriya Shrinate, Debabrata Saikia, and Ripun Bora, among others. The list was submitted to the Election Commission by K.C. Venugopal on 16 September.
Why is the Nagaon bypoll politically significant?
Nagaon is a keenly watched constituency where community consolidation — particularly among minority and tribal voters — can decisively influence outcomes. The result will serve as a bellwether for Assam's political mood ahead of the 2026 state Assembly elections.
What is the AIUDF's role in Assam politics?
The All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), led by Badruddin Ajmal, is a regional party with a significant support base among Bengali-speaking Muslims in Assam. It has traditionally positioned itself as an opponent of the BJP, making Congress's allegation of a BJP-AIUDF understanding a politically sensitive and contested charge.
