Rakibul Hussain questions Devasish Sharma’s entry into BJP, raises concerns over Assam's Nagaon bypoll

Senior Congress leader and Dhubri MP Rakibul Hussain on September 24 raised questions over BJP’s Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll candidate Devasish Sharma’s transition from serving as Nagaon District Commissioner to joining the BJP and subsequently being named as the party’s candidate.

Addressing a press conference at the Rajiv Bhawan, Nagaon District Congress Committee office, Hussain alleged that Sharma’s political transition raised questions about the democratic and electoral process. Congress had earlier approached the Election Commission of India (ECI) with complaints concerning Sharma’s tenure as Nagaon DC-cum-District Election Officer.

Hussain claimed that the Congress had initially observed that its complaints were being taken seriously by the poll authorities. He said the party would now watch how the Election Commission responds to the issues it has raised.

Sharma, who served as Nagaon DC, took voluntary retirement on September 3 and joined the BJP on September 8. The BJP subsequently nominated him for the October 6 Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election. Congress had earlier sought scrutiny of election-related decisions taken during his tenure as DC-cum-DEO.

The Congress leader also spoke about the September 21 incident in Barma Bazar under Samaguri constituency, where a Congress campaign convoy faced protests and stone-pelting. The convoy included Congress leaders Bhupesh Baghel, Gaurav Gogoi, Rakibul Hussain, Wazed Ali Choudhury, Mira Borthakur and party candidate Sibamoni Bora. Congress has alleged that the convoy was targeted, while accounts surrounding the incident have been politically contested.

Hussain rejected the explanation given by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma regarding the incident and also criticised AIUDF candidate Badruddin Ajmal during the press conference.

The press conference was attended by Assam Pradesh Mahila Congress leader Mira Borthakur, Bedabrata Bora and other senior leaders of the Nagaon District Congress Committee.