BJP’s Debashis Sharma, Cong’s Sibamoni Bora, AIUDF Chief Ajmal file nominations for Nagaon bypoll

way2barak, September 16: Flags, posters, dhol, khol, taal and competing political pitches marked nomination day for the Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll on Wednesday, with candidates from different parties taking out rallies through the town before heading to the District Commissioner’s office to file their papers.

The day’s nomination activity took the total number of nomination papers for the seat to 35, submitted by 25 candidates, the Election Commission said in a statement.

Of these, 22 were submitted on Wednesday, compared with three on Tuesday, according to sources. The scrutiny of the nomination papers is on Thursday, the last date for withdrawal of candidature.

The BJP led a large procession for its candidate Devashish Sharma from Nehru Bali to the nomination venue. State BJP president Dilip Saikia, Minister Pijush Hazarika and other party leaders accompanied Sharma, while hundreds of supporters joined the rally.

“I am very lucky and I thank the people of Nagaon. I want their support,” Sharma said before filing his nomination.

The Congress also took its candidate Shibamoni Bora to the nomination venue in a rally featuring traditional musical performances.

Congress leaders, including APCC chief Gaurav Gogoi, Rakibul Hussain and Ripun Bora, accompanied Bora during the procession.

“The large number of people who came out to support proves that the people have risen and they will rise against the corrupt BJP’s control. Our win is sure,” Bora said, before filing her nomination.

While the BJP and Congress rallies provided much of the colour and movement on nomination day, candidates from other parties also put forward their messages as they entered the electoral contest.

All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) candidate Badaruddin Ajmal acknowledged the challenges ahead, while expressing confidence in his prospects and appealing to Akhil Gogoi and his party for support.

“There are challenges in an election. BJP and Congress are the same. I believe I will win by a huge difference. I will request Akhil Gogoi and his party (Raijor Dal) to vote for us and, in the coming days, when I go to Parliament, I will work for him and his party as well,” Ajmal said.

All India Trinamool Congress candidate Abdul Salam, meanwhile, said his campaign would gain momentum after the nomination process.

“Let’s see what the people do as everyone hopes to win. The support we got is mixed as we don’t have any organisation here. Our campaign will begin powerfully once the nomination is over,” Salam said.

With the nomination process ending on Wednesday, the focus now shifts to the next stages of the electoral process.

Scrutiny of nominations will be held on Thursday, while September 19 is the last date for withdrawal of candidature.

Polling for the Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll will be held on October 6, with counting of votes scheduled for October 9.