Gaurav Gogoi calls Himanta AIUDF’s ‘political godfather’, alleges BJP-AIUDF nexus in Nagaon bypoll

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi on October 9 alleged that the Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll outcome was the result of a political understanding between Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal, describing it as a “jugalbandi” between the two leaders.

Reacting to the bypoll outcome, Gogoi alleged that both the BJP and the AIUDF had focused on defeating the Congress rather than on their own electoral agendas. He claimed that the political relationship between Sarma and Ajmal had been visible for a long time and that their conduct during the campaign reflected this understanding.

“Today's result is the outcome of the ‘jugalbandi’ of both,” Gogoi said, alleging that the Election Commission of India (ECI) had failed to act on the issues raised by the Congress during the campaign.

The Congress MP also questioned the BJP's decision to field Devasish Sharma, claiming that Sharma had publicly acknowledged being in contact with the BJP for a long time and that the party had sought his advice on several occasions. Gogoi said the Congress had placed relevant material before the ECI and alleged that the poll body should have taken action against Sharma over his alleged association with the party while in government service.

Gogoi further accused the BJP and the AIUDF of using communal issues during campaigning. He questioned how candidates could seek votes in the name of religion and alleged that the ECI had failed to act against such appeals.

Calling for an inquiry into the poll body's role, Gogoi alleged that the ECI's inaction had benefited the BJP and the AIUDF. He maintained that the Congress had been disadvantaged despite positioning itself as a neutral political force.

The Congress MP also called on party workers and supporters to consolidate Congress votes, arguing that unity was necessary to counter what he described as a nexus involving the BJP, the AIUDF and the ECI.

The allegations made by Gogoi were political claims and were not independently established in his remarks. The ECI's response to the allegations was not available at the time of publication.