Full Breakdown
AIUDF Chief Badruddin Ajmal Enters Nagaon Lok Sabha By-Poll
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Candidate Line-up for the Nagaon By-Election
On October 6 2026, a Lok Sabha by-poll will be held in Nagaon, Assam. The All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) has nominated its president Mohammed Badruddin Ajmal, former Dhubri MP and current MLA from Binnakandi. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) fields former IAS officer Debasish Sharma, and the Indian National Congress fields former Batadroba MLA Sibamoni Bora. The All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) fields Abdul Salam. The poll follows the resignation of Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi, who joined the BJP and won the Dispur assembly seat in April 2024.
Background & Context
Nagaon, a Muslim-majority constituency, had been a Congress stronghold in the 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The vacancy created a test ahead of the 2031 Assam Assembly elections, where the BJP-led NDA currently dominates the state legislature.
Key Figures & Groups
- Badruddin Ajmal – AIUDF president, MLA, former Lok Sabha MP (Dhubri).
- Debasish Sharma – BJP candidate, ex-IAS officer, former Nagaon Deputy Commissioner.
- Sibamoni Bora – Congress candidate, ex-Batadroba MLA.
- Abdul Salam – AITC candidate.
- Himanta Biswa Sarma – Assam chief minister, BJP leader.
- Gaurav Gogoi – Assam Pradesh Congress president.
Timeline
- Sept 3 2026 – Sharma retires as Deputy Commissioner.
- Sept 8 2026 – Sharma joins BJP.
- Sept 15 2026 – AIUDF announces Ajmal as its candidate.
- Sept 16 2026 – Nomination deadline.
- Sept 17 2026 – Scrutiny of nominations.
- Sept 19 2026 – Final withdrawal date.
- Oct 6 2026 – Polling day.
- Oct 9 2026 – Counting of votes.
- Oct 11 2026 – Election process concludes.
Official Statements & Responses
AIUDF’s core committee approved Ajmal’s candidature, stating the party “will contest the by-election to the Lok Sabha from Nagaon.” Himanta Biswa Sarma noted, “This is not a traditional BJP seat, but over the past month we have seen a change—people seem to be understanding that they should vote for BJP this time.”
Criticism & Opposition
Congress president Gaurav Gogoi accused the BJP of “panicking” after Congress announced its candidate and turning to AIUDF as an ally. He said Ajmal’s entry is intended to split the Congress vote and aid Chief Minister Sarma.
Verbatim Quote
- “The BJP understood that Congress has fielded a strong candidate. They panicked and called upon their trusted political ally. Maulana Ajmalji has taken this step to help (Chief Minister) Himanta Biswa Sarma,” — Gaurav Gogoi, Assam Congress president
What's Next
Nominations close on September 16, with withdrawals allowed until September 19. Voters will cast ballots on October 6, and results are expected on October 9. The Election Commission aims to complete all procedures by October 11, after which parties will adjust strategies for the upcoming 2031 Assam Assembly elections.