BJP nominates Devasish Sharma for Assam’s Nagaon Lok Sabha byelection
The BJP has nominated former IAS officer Devasish Sharma for the Nagaon Lok Sabha byelection in Assam. The nomination has drawn criticism from Congress leaders, who question the timing of his retirement and his political neutrality during his tenure as a district official.
Why it matters
The controversy underscores concerns regarding the transition of bureaucrats into active politics and the potential for conflicts of interest in election administration.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has nominated former IAS officer Devasish Sharma as its candidate for the Nagaon Lok Sabha byelection on October 6, 2026.
Mr. Sharma had stoked controversy before opting for voluntary retirement as the Nagaon District Commissioner on September 3 and joining the BJP on Tuesday (September 8, 2026). The Nagaon parliamentary constituency covers Morigaon district and five of Nagaon district’s seven Assembly segments.
The Nagaon Lok Sabha seat fell vacant after Pradyut Bordoloi, who won in 2019 and 2024 as a Congress candidate, resigned ahead of the April 9, 2026, Assembly elections and joined the BJP. He now represents the BJP from the Dispur Assembly constituency.
On September 4, 2026, Congress leader and Dhubri MP Rakibul Hussain approached the Election Commission of India (ECI), seeking an inquiry into complaints of financial irregularities during his stint as the Nagaon District Commissioner.
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