Nagaon bypoll: Gaurav Gogoi accuses BJP of secret AIUDF pact ahead of Oct 6 vote
Synopsis
With the Nagaon bypoll just weeks away, Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi has fired the opening salvo — accusing the BJP of orchestrating a covert alliance with AIUDF to counter a resurgent Congress in a seat the party won in both 2019 and 2024. The charge, if it sticks, reframes a local bypoll as a test of BJP's credibility on its own anti-AIUDF posturing in Assam.
Key Takeaways
Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi alleged on 15 September 2026 that the BJP is secretly colluding with AIUDF ahead of the Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll on 6 October .
Gogoi said the AIUDF reconsidered its candidate strategy after Congress announced nominee Sibamoni Bora , calling it proof of Congress's strength.
The BJP has fielded former Nagaon Deputy Commissioner Devasish Sharma ; AIUDF may field its own president Badruddin Ajmal .
The seat fell vacant after sitting MP Pradyut Bordoloi resigned, joined the BJP, and won the Dispur Assembly seat.
Nagaon was won by the Congress in both 2019 and 2024 , making the bypoll a significant political test for both parties ahead of 2029 .
Assam Congress President and Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi on Tuesday, 15 September 2026, alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is secretly colluding with the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), led by Badruddin Ajmal, out of fear of a Congress victory in the Nagaon Lok Sabha bye-election scheduled for 6 October. Speaking to reporters in Guwahati, Gogoi expressed strong confidence that the Congress would prevail in the closely watched bypoll.
Gogoi's Allegations Against BJP
Gogoi claimed that the BJP had grown alarmed after the Congress announced its candidate for the Nagaon seat. He alleged that the ruling party in Assam has turned to what he described as its 'trusted political ally' AIUDF to shore up its position in the constituency.
'The BJP has panicked and understood that the Congress has put forward a strong candidate,' Gogoi said, adding that a possible candidature of Badruddin Ajmal would ultimately benefit Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma rather than represent genuine independent competition.
AIUDF's Shifting Candidate Strategy
Gogoi pointed to what he described as a telling reversal by the AIUDF. According to him, the front had initially been considering a different candidate but reconsidered after the Congress officially announced its nominee — a development he said reflected the strength of the Congress position in the constituency.
'Earlier, the AIUDF was thinking about another candidate, but after the Congress party announced its official candidate, the AIUDF have done a rethink,' he said. Reports indicate that the AIUDF may field its President Badruddin Ajmal himself from Nagaon, potentially reshaping an already competitive contest.
The Candidates and the Stakes
The BJP has fielded former IAS officer and former Nagaon Deputy Commissioner Devasish Sharma, while the Indian National Congress (Congress) has nominated former Batadroba MLA Sibamoni Bora. The seat carries particular historical weight: Nagaon was won by the Congress in both the 2019 and 2024 general elections.
The vacancy arose after Pradyut Bordoloi resigned as the sitting MP and joined the BJP ahead of the state Assembly polls. Bordoloi subsequently contested and won from the Dispur Assembly constituency on a BJP ticket, triggering the bypoll.
Why the Nagaon Verdict Matters
For the BJP, a win in Nagaon would signal that its organisational reach is expanding into central Assam — traditionally a Congress stronghold. For the Congress, holding the seat would confirm that its core support base in the region remains solid and would offer a meaningful counter-narrative ahead of the 2029 general election cycle.
With both parties treating the seat as a political bellwether, the 6 October result is expected to be read as an early indicator of Assam's broader electoral mood. Gogoi said the Congress was preparing an aggressive campaign and remained confident of victory. 'We are very confident of putting up a solid campaign, and we are confident of a victory in the forthcoming Nagaon bye-election,' he added.
Point of View
So any perceived alignment — even tactical — would be a liability it can ill afford. The charge is also strategically timed to put Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on the defensive before campaigning peaks. What is worth watching is whether the AIUDF's final candidate decision confirms or undercuts Gogoi's narrative. A Badruddin Ajmal candidature that splits the anti-BJP vote would benefit the ruling party regardless of any formal understanding — and that ambiguity is precisely what makes the allegation politically potent even without documentary proof.
NationPress
15 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll and when is it scheduled?
The Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll is a by-election for the Nagaon parliamentary constituency in Assam, scheduled for 6 October 2026. The seat fell vacant after sitting MP Pradyut Bordoloi resigned, joined the BJP, and won an Assam Assembly seat from Dispur.
What has Gaurav Gogoi alleged about the BJP and AIUDF?
Congress President and MP Gaurav Gogoi has alleged that the BJP is making a secret pact with the AIUDF, led by Badruddin Ajmal, out of fear of a Congress victory. He claims the BJP turned to AIUDF as a 'trusted political ally' after Congress fielded a strong candidate.
Who are the candidates in the Nagaon bypoll?
The BJP has fielded former IAS officer and ex-Nagaon Deputy Commissioner Devasish Sharma, while the Congress has nominated former Batadroba MLA Sibamoni Bora. The AIUDF is reportedly considering fielding its president Badruddin Ajmal himself.
Why is the Nagaon bypoll politically significant?
Nagaon was won by the Congress in both the 2019 and 2024 general elections, making it a traditional Congress stronghold. Both major parties are treating the October 6 verdict as a bellwether for Assam's electoral mood ahead of the 2029 general election.
Why did the Nagaon Lok Sabha seat fall vacant?
The seat fell vacant after Pradyut Bordoloi resigned as the sitting Congress MP, joined the BJP, and contested the Assam Assembly elections from the Dispur constituency, which he won.
