Nagaon bypoll: Congress seeks removal of district poll officer over convoy attack
Synopsis
With just days to polling, the Nagaon bypoll has turned sharply contentious. Congress has petitioned the ECI to oust the district's poll officer, citing ignored security warnings and an alleged stone-and-bottle attack on its campaign convoy — while the administration offers a starkly different account of what happened at Barma Bazar on 21 September.
Key Takeaways
The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee petitioned the Election Commission of India on 23 September 2026 to remove Nagaon District Election Officer Aranyak Saikia .
Congress alleges its campaign convoy was attacked with stones, eggs, and bottles at Barma Bazar, Samaguri on 21 September , despite advance security warnings.
AICC Secretary Manoj Chauhan and Assam Pradesh Mahila Congress President Mira Borthakur were reported injured; several vehicles were damaged.
The district administration disputes the Congress account, saying the incident was a sudden clash between two groups at Barma Tiniali .
Congress has alleged involvement of BJP leader Mujibur Rahman — allegations that have not been independently established.
The Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election is scheduled for 6 October , with counting on 9 October .
The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) on Wednesday, 23 September 2026, approached the Election Commission of India (ECI) seeking the removal of Nagaon District Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer Aranyak Saikia, alleging that the district administration ignored advance security warnings before a campaign convoy was allegedly attacked during electioneering for the October 6 Lok Sabha by-election in Nagaon.
What Congress Has Alleged
According to the party's formal representation, senior Congress leader Rakibul Hussain had repeatedly alerted Nagaon District Commissioner Aranyak Saikia, Superintendent of Police V.V. Rakesh Reddy, and other senior officials about credible security concerns ahead of a campaign programme in the area. The programme featured former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and other senior party leaders.
Hussain had also reportedly flagged the presence of stones and other materials near the proposed route, and claimed he was assured that adequate security had been arranged. Despite those assurances, the party alleges its convoy was targeted while travelling to an election meeting at Barma Bazar in the Samaguri area on 21 September, with stones, eggs, and bottles allegedly hurled at vehicles.
Injuries and Damage Reported
Two Congress functionaries sustained injuries in the alleged attack — All India Congress Committee (AICC) Secretary Manoj Chauhan and Assam Pradesh Mahila Congress President Mira Borthakur. Several vehicles in the convoy were also reported damaged. The party further alleged that a second attempt was made to target the convoy as Congress leaders were returning from the meeting.
The representation submitted to the ECI included the district administration's 22 September press note, video footage, photographs of damaged vehicles, and documents relating to the reported injuries.
Administration's Contrasting Account
The district administration has offered a different version of events. Officials stated that a sudden confrontation broke out between two groups during the Congress procession at Barma Tiniali, following which stones and eggs were allegedly thrown. Police and district officials intervened to bring the situation under control and subsequently identified individuals allegedly involved.
The administration also asserted there was no identifiable leader behind the incident — a claim the Congress has directly disputed. The party has alleged the involvement of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Mujibur Rahman in orchestrating the confrontation. These allegations have not been independently established.
Congress Demand: Remove District Election Officer
Calling for the removal of District Commissioner Saikia from all election-related responsibilities, the Congress argued the step was essential to restore what it described as compromised neutrality of the election machinery. The party also sought an independent examination of the 21 September incident by ECI observers or another appropriate mechanism.
This comes amid heightened political tensions in the constituency ahead of polling day. The Nagaon by-election is scheduled for 6 October, with vote counting on 9 October. How the Election Commission responds to the Congress petition could shape the remaining campaign climate in the seat.
Point of View
Photographs, and injury documents — raising the bar for the ECI to simply dismiss the complaint. If the commission declines to act, it risks being seen as passive in a high-stakes contest; if it acts swiftly, it signals that pre-poll security lapses carry accountability. The BJP's alleged link through Mujibur Rahman, unverified as it is, will remain a live political charge through polling day on 6 October.
NationPress
23 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Nagaon bypoll convoy attack controversy?
Congress alleges that its campaign convoy was attacked with stones, eggs, and bottles at Barma Bazar in Assam's Samaguri area on 21 September 2026, despite advance security warnings being given to the district administration. The incident occurred during electioneering for the Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election scheduled for 6 October.
Why is Congress seeking the removal of the Nagaon District Election Officer?
The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee has petitioned the ECI to remove District Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer Aranyak Saikia, arguing that the administration failed to act on repeated security warnings from senior Congress leader Rakibul Hussain, compromising the neutrality of the election machinery.
What does the district administration say happened?
The district administration has stated that a sudden confrontation broke out between two groups during the Congress procession at Barma Tiniali, after which stones and eggs were thrown. Officials said police intervened and identified persons allegedly involved, and denied there was any identifiable leader behind the incident.
Who was injured in the alleged convoy attack?
Two Congress functionaries were reported injured: AICC Secretary Manoj Chauhan and Assam Pradesh Mahila Congress President Mira Borthakur. Several vehicles in the convoy were also reported damaged during the alleged incident.
When is the Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election?
The Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election is scheduled to be held on 6 October 2026, with vote counting on 9 October 2026.
