Nagaon bypoll: Assam CM Sarma questions Ajmal's political relevance ahead of Oct 6 vote
Synopsis
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma has declared that AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal is 'no longer a tiger' — a pointed personal attack days before the Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll. With BJP's Debashish Sharma, Congress's Sibamoni Bora and Ajmal all in the fray, the 6 October vote is shaping up as a genuine three-cornered test of the ruling establishment's grip on a key Assam seat.
Key Takeaways
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma called AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal 'no longer a tiger' on 3 October 2026 .
The remarks come ahead of the Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll on 6 October , in which Ajmal is a candidate.
BJP has fielded Debashish Sharma ; Congress has nominated Sibamoni Bora for the same seat.
Ajmal is a former three-term Lok Sabha MP from Dhubri and currently an MLA from Binnakandi .
Sarma had earlier urged Ajmal to step back from active politics and let the next AIUDF generation lead.
Counting of votes is scheduled for 9 October 2026 .
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday, 3 October 2026, launched a fresh attack on All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) chief Badruddin Ajmal, questioning the veteran politician's capacity to represent Assam in Parliament and attributing the decline to advancing age. The remarks come just days before the Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll scheduled for 6 October, in which Ajmal is among the key candidates.
What Sarma Said
Speaking ahead of polling, Sarma described Ajmal as a once-formidable political force who had, in his assessment, lost significant influence over the years. 'Badruddin Ajmal has aged. He is no longer a tiger,' the Chief Minister said. He further argued that Ajmal was no longer in a position to effectively raise Assam's issues at the national level, calling into question the rationale for his candidacy.
This is not the first such remark from Sarma. He had earlier suggested that Ajmal consider stepping back from active electoral politics and allow the next generation of AIUDF leaders — including his sons — to take the organisation forward. The sustained attacks signal how seriously the ruling establishment is treating the Nagaon contest.
Who Is Badruddin Ajmal
Ajmal is a former three-term Lok Sabha member who represented the Dhubri constituency and remains a prominent minority community leader in Assam. He currently serves as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Binnakandi, having won the 2026 Assam Assembly election. His political base among sections of Assam's electorate has consistently made him a significant factor in state and national polls.
The Nagaon Bypoll Contest
The Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election has shaped up as a closely watched multi-cornered contest. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has fielded Debashish Sharma, while the Congress has nominated Sibamoni Bora. Ajmal's entry into the race has added a sharp communal and identity dimension to the campaign. Polling is on 6 October and vote counting is scheduled for 9 October.
Escalating Political Exchanges
The sharpening rhetoric between Sarma and Ajmal reflects the broader intensity of campaigning as parties enter the final stretch before polling day. Notably, personal attacks on a rival candidate's age and efficacy — rather than purely policy contrasts — have become a recurring feature of this campaign. This comes amid Assam's historically competitive electoral dynamics, where AIUDF's support base has at various points determined margins in several constituencies.
What to Watch
With polling just days away, observers will be watching voter turnout among Ajmal's traditional support base and whether Sarma's sustained targeting energises or alienates fence-sitters. The 9 October counting day will test whether the Chief Minister's aggressive campaigning translates into a decisive BJP hold on the seat.
Point of View
Not fragment, minority voter sentiment. More broadly, the exchange highlights how Assam's electoral contests still revolve heavily around identity and personality rather than governance performance. If Ajmal polls strongly despite the campaign against him, it will complicate the BJP's narrative that AIUDF's influence is in terminal decline.
NationPress
2 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma say about Badruddin Ajmal?
Sarma said Ajmal had aged and was 'no longer a tiger,' arguing the AIUDF chief had lost the political strength needed to effectively represent Assam in Parliament. The remarks were made ahead of the Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll on 6 October 2026.
Who are the main candidates in the Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll?
The Nagaon bypoll features BJP's Debashish Sharma, Congress's Sibamoni Bora, and AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal as the prominent contestants. Polling is on 6 October and counting is on 9 October 2026.
Who is Badruddin Ajmal and why does he matter in Assam politics?
Ajmal is a former three-term Lok Sabha MP from Dhubri and the chief of the All India United Democratic Front. He currently serves as MLA from Binnakandi after winning the 2026 Assam Assembly election and commands a significant minority community support base in the state.
Why is the Nagaon bypoll politically significant?
Nagaon is a closely watched multi-cornered contest involving the ruling BJP, Congress, and AIUDF. The result will test AIUDF's electoral relevance after Sarma's sustained attacks and indicate whether the BJP can consolidate its dominance in central Assam.
What has Sarma previously said about Ajmal's political future?
Sarma had earlier suggested Ajmal step away from active electoral politics and allow the next generation of AIUDF leaders, including his sons, to lead the party forward — remarks that drew sharp reactions from the opposition camp.
