Triangular Race in Nagaon By‑Poll as BJP, Congress and AIUDF Vie for Lok Sabha Seat

Counting of votes for the Nagaon Lok Sabha by‑election began at 8 am today. Voting was held on October 6 and ended peacefully, with turnout around 76 percent by 5 pm. Fifteen candidates are in the fray.

Contest

BJP fielded Devasish Sharma, a former IAS officer, hoping to expand the party’s base. Congress nominated former MLA Sibamoni Bora, aiming to hold the seat and keep its core minority support. AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal entered the race himself after the party had initially planned to run Rejaul Karim Sarkar.

What to Watch

The split in the minority vote between Congress and AIUDF could decide the outcome. The result is also the first test of how voters have reacted to the defection of former Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi, who resigned in March, joined the BJP and won the Dispur Assembly seat in the April 2026 state election, leaving Nagaon vacant.

Context

Nagaon is a Lok Sabha constituency in Assam where by‑elections are triggered by a vacancy. Minority communities in the area have historically swung between Congress and AIUDF, making their vote split a key factor in any contest.