Political activity in Assam has intensified with the announcement of candidates for the upcoming Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election. The Congress party on Monday officially declared former MLA Sibamoni Bora as its candidate for the poll scheduled to be held on October 6.
Candidate Selection and Background
The decision was made public through a brief statement issued by Congress general secretary KC Venugopal. According to the party statement, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge approved the candidature of Sibamoni Bora for the ensuing by-election to the Lok Sabha from the Nagaon parliamentary constituency in Assam. Bora, aged 63, is a former legislator who previously represented the Batadraba Assembly constituency in Nagaon district.
Rival Parties and Key Contenders
The electoral contest in the constituency features notable opponents, as the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has already nominated former IAS officer Devaish Sharma for the by-election. Sharma took voluntary retirement from his administrative position as Nagaon deputy commissioner earlier this month before receiving the nomination from the ruling party. Additionally, the Trinamool Congress has entered the fray by naming Abdul Salam as its candidate for the Nagaon seat.
Vacancy Reasons and Election Schedule
The parliamentary seat fell vacant in March after the sitting Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi resigned from the party and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party. Bordoloi subsequently contested the Assam Assembly elections from Dispur on a BJP ticket and emerged victorious in the polls held in April. Following the vacancy, the Election Commission scheduled the bypoll process.
The formal nomination process for the by-election is set to commence on September 16, and the scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on September 17. Candidates will have until September 19 to withdraw their nominations. Voting for the Nagaon Lok Sabha seat will be conducted on October 6, with the official counting of votes scheduled for October 9.
