Assam: “BJP trying to field Ajmal in Nagaon bypoll to split Congress votes,” says Mira Borthakur

Senior Congress leader Mira Borthakur on Tuesday, September 15, alleged that the BJP was attempting to bring All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) chief Badruddin Ajmal into the Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election after the Congress fielded Sibamani Bora, with the aim of dividing the anti-BJP vote.

Speaking to the media, Borthakur claimed that the BJP had earlier tried to bring another candidate, Rejaul Karim, into the electoral fray to cut into Congress votes and was now seeking to persuade Ajmal to contest.

“After Congress projected Sibamani Bora as its candidate, the BJP has now started trying to bring Badruddin Ajmal into the field to cut votes,” she alleged.

Borthakur also made an indirect attack on Sivasagar MLA Akhil Gogoi, without naming him, alleging that an individual had been repeatedly targeting the Congress and Assam Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi over the past few months.

“For the last two or three months, someone has been made to abuse Gaurav Gogoi and the Congress. I will not take his name,” she said.

She also questioned the candidature of BJP nominee Devashish Sharma and called for scrutiny of his nomination and the circumstances surrounding his sudden resignation from government service.

Borthakur claimed that Sharma had opted for voluntary retirement shortly before entering electoral politics and alleged that a transfer involving his mandal had taken place on the same day he opted for VRS (voluntary retirement).

“The Election Commission should investigate everything. If there are any pending transactions after his resignation, those too should be examined,” she said.

Questioning how a former election-related government official could enter an electoral contest soon after leaving government service, Borthakur said, “How can a former election-related official enter the electoral contest himself after leaving the government service soon after?”

On reports of factionalism within the Congress following Bora’s candidature, Borthakur dismissed the allegations, saying the party was no longer driven by what she described as ‘lobby politics’.

She also questioned why alleged discontent within the BJP over Sharma’s candidature was not receiving similar attention.

Borthakur further raised concerns over the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs), saying she believed the Congress could win the constituency if the electoral process remained fair.

“If the EVMs have not already been fixed, Congress will win this constituency,” she said, adding that if arrangements had already been made in favour of Sharma, the eventual election result would reveal it.

Borthakur also alleged that Ajmal was being pressured to enter the contest and suggested that the AIUDF chief could face a choice between protecting his business interests and pursuing his electoral ambitions.

“Badruddin Ajmal is facing a problem because of this. Is he going to save his business or the seat?” she said.

At the time of reporting this story, neither the BJP nor Ajmal's AIUDF had immediately responded to the claims and allegations of Borthakur.