Debabrata Saikia rejects BJP joining rumours, calls them 'baseless'
Synopsis
Assam's former Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia has publicly and forcefully denied reports of an impending BJP switch, calling them a 'deep conspiracy.' The denial comes as the Nagaon Lok Sabha seat sits vacant following Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi's defection to the BJP — making Saikia's next move one of the most closely watched questions in Assam politics.
Key Takeaways
Debabrata Saikia , former Leader of Opposition in the Assam Assembly , denied rumours of joining the BJP on 18 May , calling them “completely baseless.” Saikia alleged the rumours are part of a “deep conspiracy” to sideline him from Assam politics.
The Nagaon Lok Sabha seat fell vacant after Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi defected to the BJP and won an Assembly seat from Dispur .
Saikia criticised the Election Commission of India and the BJP-led government over inflation and what he called a weakening of democratic institutions.
Without naming CM Himanta Biswa Sarma , he targeted those calling him “Chanakya,” accusing the government of “fake degree politics.”
Former Leader of Opposition in the Assam Legislative Assembly, Debabrata Saikia, on Monday, 18 May flatly rejected rumours that he is set to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and contest the upcoming by-election from the Nagaon Lok Sabha constituency, describing the claims as “completely baseless” and part of a “deep conspiracy” against him. The senior Indian National Congress (Congress) leader made the remarks while addressing reporters in Guwahati.
Saikia's Denial and Allegation
Speaking directly to the press, Saikia asserted that his commitment to the Congress party is unwavering and that he has no intention of either switching sides or contesting any by-election. “I have always been in politics to serve the people and will continue to do so. The rumours being spread by a section of people regarding my joining the Bharatiya Janata Party and contesting from Nagaon are entirely false and politically motivated,” he said.
He further alleged that concerted attempts were being made to push him to the margins of Assam politics, but expressed confidence that such efforts were “bound to fail.”
Why the Nagaon Seat Is in Focus
The Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election has acquired heightened political significance following the defection of sitting Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi to the BJP ahead of the recent Assembly elections. Bordoloi, who had won the 2024 Lok Sabha polls on a Congress ticket, subsequently contested the Assembly elections from Dispur on a BJP ticket and secured a comfortable victory, vacating the parliamentary seat and triggering the by-poll.
Broadside Against the BJP Government
Saikia used the occasion to launch a wider attack on the BJP-led government in Assam. He raised alarm over what he described as a systematic weakening of democratic institutions, singling out the Election Commission of India (ECI) for criticism. “The current situation is worrying. We are witnessing a weakening of democratic institutions, and the role being played by the Election Commission has been disappointing,” he alleged.
Without directly naming Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Saikia took an implicit swipe at those who refer to him as “Chanakya”, arguing that the ancient strategist’s philosophy emphasised respect for educated people and the avoidance of wastage of public money — values he claimed were conspicuously absent in the current dispensation. He also accused the government of indulging in “fake degree politics” and making promises that failed to address the real concerns of ordinary citizens.
Inflation and the People's Struggle
The Congress leader also trained his guns on the BJP government over rising prices of essential commodities, alleging that common people were bearing the brunt of inflation in the immediate aftermath of the elections. He reiterated that the Congress party’s fight on behalf of the people of Assam would continue, expressing confidence that “truth will ultimately prevail.”
Point of View
But the political context makes the rumours credible enough to demand a public rebuttal — which itself signals how unsettled Congress's Assam unit is. The Nagaon vacancy, created by Bordoloi's defection, is a live wound for the party, and speculation about a second senior figure crossing over reflects the BJP's ongoing consolidation of Assam's political landscape. The implicit attack on CM Sarma without naming him is a familiar Congress tactic that plays well internally but rarely shifts public opinion. Whether Saikia's loyalty holds through a by-election campaign — when BJP's organisational machinery will be at full throttle — is the real question mainstream coverage is sidestepping.
NationPress
3 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Debabrata Saikia deny joining the BJP?
Debabrata Saikia denied joining the BJP on 18 May, calling the rumours 'completely baseless' and part of a 'deep conspiracy' to sideline him. He reaffirmed his commitment to the Congress party and said he has no intention of contesting any by-election.
What is the Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election?
The Nagaon Lok Sabha seat fell vacant after sitting Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi switched to the BJP and contested the Assam Assembly elections from Dispur on a BJP ticket, winning comfortably. A by-election is now due to fill the vacated parliamentary seat.
Who is Debabrata Saikia?
Debabrata Saikia is a senior Congress leader and former Leader of Opposition in the Assam Legislative Assembly. He is one of the party's most prominent faces in the state.
What did Saikia say about the Election Commission and inflation?
Saikia alleged that democratic institutions, including the Election Commission of India, were being weakened under the current dispensation. He also accused the BJP-led government of failing to control rising prices of essential commodities, claiming common people were suffering from inflation after the elections.
Did Saikia name Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in his criticism?
Saikia did not name CM Himanta Biswa Sarma directly, but took an implicit swipe at those calling him 'Chanakya,' arguing that Chanakya's principles of respecting educated people and avoiding wastage of public money were absent in the present government.
