ONGC Invites Applications for 20 Consultant Positions
Dispur, October 30: Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) has announced the recruitment of qualified and experienced retired ONGC personnel for Associate and Junior Consultant positions in ONGC Invites Applications for 20 Consultant Positions
As bypoll results largely favour ruling parties, BJP pulls a surprise in Bengals Rejinagar
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 9 (IANS) Ruling parties in three states and one Union Territory that went for by-elections are poised comfortably to win as counting comes close to an end on Friday for five Assembly and one Lok Sabha constituencies. Elections were held on Tuesday for the lone Parliamentary constituency of Nagaon in Assam, while voting took place the same day for the Assembly seats in West Bengals Nandigram and Rejinagar; Madurantakam and Dharapuram of Tamil Nadu; and Thattanchavady in the Union Territory of Puducherry. The Nagaon Lok Sabha seat was vacant after Congress leader Pradyut Bordoloi who won in 2019 and 2024 joined the BJP and subsequently won from Dispur in this years Assembly elections. The states ruling BJP was leading at the time of writing, with its candidate Devasish Sharma ahead with a convincing margin of 1.6 lakh votes over his closest rival. In Puducherry, the ruling All India N. R. Congress (AINRC) retained the Thattanchavady seat, with Ashok Anand winning here with a margin of 8,482 votes over nearest rival E. Vinayagam of the Congress. Chief Minister Natesan Rangaswamy vacated this seat to retain Mangalam, which he had won simultaneously in the Assembly elections held earlier this year. As a Congress candidate, he lost from Thattanchavady in 1990, but registered a victory in the election held the next year. In 2006, he won here with a record 90 per cent of the total votes polled. Since winning in 1991 as a Congress candidate, Rangaswamy retained Thattanchavady till he chose to contest elsewhere beginning in 2011 after breaking out of the Congress and founding the AINRC. He returned, winning again in the 2021 and 2026 general elections. In Tamil Nadu, while Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijays Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) was ahead by almost 67,000 votes in Dharapuram at the end of all 23 rounds of counting, it was ahead by close to 58,000 mandates in Madurantakam after 17 of 21 rounds. In the Assembly elections held earlier this year, TVK emerged as the largest single party, forming the government with allies. In West Bengal, BJPs Hasi Rani Rath was declared winner by a massive margin of over 1.2 lakh votes, while in Rejinagar the ruling party pulled a surprise with its candidate Shankharavh Sarkar close to victory with a lead of over 75,800 mandates. Muslims in Rejinagar comprise well over 70 per cent, where the controversial Babri Masjid-replica builder and founder of Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP), Humayun Kabir, stepped down to retain Nowda. He had won from Rejinagar earlier, bagging 51.62 per cent of the total votes polled, but his son Golam Nabi Azad failed to retain it for the AJUP in the subsequent by-election. Since delimitation and polling held in 2011, the seat has been decided on the basis of demographic divide. But Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had predicted the change before the by-election, promising to work for the development of the region. In the 2011 election, Humayun Kabir, then a Congress candidate, defeated his nearest rival Serajul Islam Mondal of the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP), a Left-Front ally. The seat was retained by the Congress in the 2013 by-election after Kabir switched over to the Trinamool Congress, with Rabiul Alam Chowdhury beating the RSP again. In 2016, Chowdhury again triumphed, this time against Kabir, who contested as an independent. In the subsequent 2021 polls, the BJP rose to the second position in a significant surge, but lost to Chowdhury, then a Trinamool candidate, by a massive margin of over 68,000 votes. Shankharavh Sarkars comfortable position in Rejinagar at the time of writing suggests that the larger part of the Muslim community has accepted the BJP government as a possible benefactor in the coming days, as observers suggest. Moreover, the trend of being rendered directionless and mass erosion in parties after losing power has also had its impact, say analysts. Even the once formidable Trinamool Congress has fragmented after its defeat in the Assembly poll this year and has fared poorly in the by-elections too. In Rejinagar, the Mamata All India Trinamool Congress managed less than 4,000 votes, while the Democratic Trinamool Congress collected a little over 2,000. In Nandigram, that was once among the principal reasons behind Mamata Banerjees 15-year tryst with power, her candidate withdrew from the race while the rival faction got a meagre 853 mandates.
Four suspected Bangladeshi nationals held in Assam
Digital Desk | Guwahati, Oct 8 (IANS) Four people suspected to be Bangladeshi nationals were held by Assam Police in Guwahati for questioning, officials said on Thursday, as the city police continued its crackdown on suspected foreign nationals allegedly staying without valid documents. According to police, the four individuals were detected in the Dispur area during ongoing verification drives and were taken into custody for questioning. Their identities, nationality and documents are being verified, while authorities are also examining the circumstances under which they entered Guwahati. Police said further details would be shared after completion of the verification process. The latest detention comes days after a series of operations in different parts of Guwahati, during which several persons suspected to be Bangladeshi nationals were apprehended. In one of the recent operations, five suspected Bangladeshi nationals were intercepted at Paltan Bazar railway station while travelling on the Lokmanya Tilak Terminus Express. Police subsequently traced the group to a hotel identified as Vintage Home, where the five were allegedly accommodated. The operation also led to the arrest of the hotel owner, two managers and another person suspected of facilitating the stay of the alleged foreign nationals. In another operation, 13 suspected Bangladeshi nationals were detained from the Shanti Hotel as part of the ongoing verification drive. Authorities have initiated proceedings for their expulsion under applicable provisions of the Immigrants Act, police said. The latest action in Dispur highlights the intensified efforts by Guwahati Police to identify and verify suspected foreign nationals residing in the city without valid travel or identity documents. Police are also examining whether the detainees have any links with facilitators or networks involved in arranging accommodation and movement for suspected illegal immigrants. Officials said the nationality and legal status of the four persons detained in Dispur would be established only after verification of their documents and other available records. Further details are awaited.
After Akhil Gogois hunger strike, CPI(M) protests delayed Assam flood relief
Protestors scuffle with police personnel at various points during their thwarted march to Dispur, the States seat of power
Implementing every clause of peace accord: Assam CM hails Bodoland development
Digital Desk | Guwahati, Oct 5 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday congratulated the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) government led by Hagrama Mohilary on completing one year in office, asserting that the triple-engine NDA government in Delhi, Dispur and Kokrajhar is accelerating development in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR). In a post on X, CM Sarma congratulated the BTC government and said the NDA governments at the Centre, in Assam and in the BTR were working together to ensure that the region progresses rapidly on the development front. Congratulations to the BTC Govt led by Shri Hagrama Mohilary on completing 1 year in the service of the people of BTR, the Chief Minister said. CM Sarma said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government was implementing every clause of the Bodo Peace Accord and working to ensure that peace and stability prevail in the region. He highlighted the implementation of various state government welfare schemes in the BTR, including Orunodoi, Chief Ministers Atmanirbhar Asom Abhiyan (CMAAA), Mukhyamantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan (MMUA) and free ration. All State Govt welfare schemes- from Orunodoi to CMAAA to MMUA to Free ration among others are being implemented with full force in the region, CM Sarma said. The Chief Minister also pointed to the state governments decision to approve a Rs 1,000 crore special package for improving road infrastructure in the BTR. He said the government was simultaneously taking steps to position the region as a manufacturing and logistics hub, potentially creating new avenues for investment, employment and economic growth. The BTR, comprising four districts -- Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa and Tamulpur -- has been at the centre of efforts to consolidate peace and accelerate development following the signing of the Bodo Peace Accord. CM Sarma has repeatedly maintained that the implementation of the accord, along with infrastructure development and welfare delivery, is key to transforming the socio-economic landscape of the region. The Chief Ministers remarks also underline the political significance of coordination between the BJP-led governments at the Centre and in Assam and the BTC administration, with development and peace being projected as the twin pillars of the NDAs approach towards the BTR.
NDA will sweep Nagaon bypoll: Assam CM
Digital Desk | Guwahati, Oct 1 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday claimed that the BJP-led NDA is receiving strong support across the Nagaon Lok Sabha constituency and asserted that the alliance is headed for a sweeping performance in the October 6 bypoll. Sarma made the remarks while campaigning for NDA candidate Devasish Sharma, addressing three rallies across the constituency during the day. Addressing reporters on the sidelines of the campaign, the Chief Minister said his assessment from the ground was that voters who had supported the Congress in some pockets were also recognising the BJP as the party capable of delivering good governance. Today, across the Nagaon Lok Sabha constituency, I addressed three huge rallies, Sarma said, adding that his reading from the ground was that people who had voted for the Congress in some areas also realised that the only party capable of delivering good governance is the BJP and that the party was sweeping the Nagaon bypoll. He also said the campaign had received support from different sections of the electorate. We were blessed to receive the blessings of our mothers, the love of our sisters, the affection of my bhagins and the support of our friends as we toured across the constituency to seek support for NDA candidate Shri Devasish Sharma, he said. The Nagaon Lok Sabha seat is witnessing a multi-cornered contest, with BJPs Devasish Sharma, Congress candidate Sibamoni Bora and All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) chief Badruddin Ajmal among the prominent candidates. The bypoll was necessitated after former Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi resigned and subsequently joined the BJP, winning the Dispur Assembly seat. Polling for the Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election is scheduled for October 6, while vote counting will take place on October 9. Sarma has been actively campaigning for the NDA candidate, and the ruling alliance has deployed senior leaders to consolidate support across the constituency. Reports said the Chief Minister is scheduled to address a series of rallies during the campaign. The Chief Ministers latest remarks came five days before polling, as campaigning entered its final phase in the politically significant constituency.
CJP Co-Convener Ashutosh Ranka, Over 30 Volunteers Detained in Assam Ahead of Regional Meet
The Assam Police on Sunday detained over 30 activists and workers of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), including its co-convener Ashutosh Ranka and four central committee members, just hours before the youth groups inaugural regional volunteers meeting in Guwahati. The detentions took place in Dispur as party organizers were arriving near Chowdhury Tila, located directly [] The post CJP Co-Convener Ashutosh Ranka, Over 30 Volunteers Detained in Assam Ahead of Regional Meet appeared first on Pragativadi I Latest Odisha News in English I Breaking News .
Nagaon bypoll: Dilip Saikia says Rakibul Hussains remarks may shift 10,000 votes
Digital Desk | Guwahati, Sep 23 (IANS) Assam Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Dilip Saikia on Wednesday claimed that remarks by Congress MP Rakibul Hussain against the partys Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll candidate Debashish Sharma could benefit the BJP, asserting that around 10,000 votes from the minority community could shift towards the party. Saikia made the remarks while addressing a BJP workers convention at Juria in Nagaons Rupohihat locality as the party intensified its campaign for the October 6 Lok Sabha by-election. He made the statement in the context of the ongoing political contest, reflecting the BJP leaders assessment of voter response. Whenever Rakibul Hussain says something against BJP candidate Debashish Sharma, around 10,000 votes from the minority community automatically move towards the BJP, Saikia said. Around 500 BJP workers from different organisational Mandals in Rupohihat attended the meeting, which focused on campaign planning and strengthening the partys organisational machinery ahead of polling. Senior BJP leaders at the gathering highlighted the state governments development initiatives and sought greater support for Sharma. Barhampur MLA Jitu Goswami, Nagaon district BJP president Subarna Singh, BJP leader Suresh Bora and other district-level office-bearers and party workers attended the meeting. The Nagaon Lok Sabha seat fell vacant after former Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi resigned from the Lok Sabha and subsequently won the Dispur Assembly seat on a BJP ticket. The BJP has fielded former Nagaon Deputy Commissioner Debashish Sharma, who took voluntary retirement from the IAS on September 3 and joined the party shortly afterwards. The Congress has nominated former Batadroba MLA Sibamoni Bora, while AIUDF president Badruddin Ajmal is also contesting the bypoll. The nominations of Sharma, Bora and Ajmal were among those found valid during scrutiny. The bypoll is scheduled for October 6, with vote counting set for October 9. Saikias remarks come amid an increasingly active campaign in the constituency, with the BJP, Congress and AIUDF mobilising their organisational networks across Nagaon. The BJP leadership has been seeking to consolidate support for Sharma, while rival parties are campaigning on issues including governance, development and local concerns. The contest has also seen sharp exchanges between leaders of the major political parties as campaigning gathers pace.
Nagaon bypoll: People to vote against communal politics, says Assam Cong chief Gaurav Gogoi
Digital Desk | Guwahati, Sep 21 (IANS) Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi on Monday stepped up his attack on the BJP over alleged communal politics and the use of religion in electoral campaigning, urging voters to reject what he described as divisive politics in the upcoming Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election. Addressing an election meeting in Dhing locality in Nagaon, Gogoi said the electorate would send a message against communal politics, linking his remarks to Batadrava, the birthplace of Vaishnavite saint and social reformer Srimanta Sankardeva. This time, people will vote against communal politics, Gogoi said, adding that the message would come from Batadrava. The Congress leader also targeted the BJP over its references to Hinduism, alleging financial irregularities involving funds meant for the Ram Temple and questioning the partys decision to give ministerial positions to individuals facing allegations of cow theft. People from the party that talks about Hinduism steal money meant for the Ram Temple, give tickets to people facing allegations of cow theft and make them ministers, Gogoi said. His remarks came as the Congress intensified its campaign for party candidate Sibamoni Bora, a former MLA from Batadrava. The party had announced Boras candidature earlier this month for the by-election scheduled on October 6, with counting of votes set for October 9. Gogoi has previously described the Nagaon contest as a direct political battle with the BJP and alleged that the BJP and AIUDF share an understanding ahead of the bypoll. The two parties have fielded Devasish Sharma and Badruddin Ajmal, respectively. Congress leaders Rakibul Hussain and Wazed Ali Choudhury also attended the campaign meeting and sought support for Bora. The Nagaon Lok Sabha seat fell vacant after former Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi left the party and joined the BJP before winning the Dispur Assembly constituency. The bypoll has turned into a multi-cornered contest, with 25 candidates filing nominations, including nominees from the BJP, Congress, AIUDF and Trinamool Congress.
Nagaon bypoll: BJP candidate expresses confidence of winning the Lok Sabha seat
Digital Desk | Guwahati, Sep 16 (IANS) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Devasish Sharma has expressed confidence in securing strong voter support in the upcoming Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election, including from minority-dominated areas, as campaigning gains momentum in Assam. Sharma said the BJP was fully prepared for the electoral contest and that he was absolutely confident about the party's prospects. He also extended his best wishes to candidates representing other political parties. The BJP candidate thanked the people of Nagaon, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the state BJP president, Cabinet ministers and MLAs for their support during the election preparations. Emphasising the BJP's governments at the Centre and in Assam, BJP candidate Sharma urged voters to focus on development and long-term public welfare rather than what he described as certain sentimental values that may not prove beneficial in the future. I am sure all the people in the minority areas are also looking for development, Sharma said, expressing his belief that the BJP government could fulfil their aspirations. Sharma further maintained that the party would receive substantial support from minority voters and perform strongly in the by-election. His remarks come as political parties intensify preparations for the Nagaon contest, where the BJP, Congress, AIUDF and other political forces are seeking to consolidate their respective voter bases. The BJP's outreach to minority-dominated areas and its emphasis on development are expected to form important elements of its campaign messaging ahead of polling. The by-election is being closely watched in Assam, given the constituency's political significance and the participation of multiple parties. Sharma's confidence contrasts with the competing claims of rival candidates, including AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal, who has also expressed confidence in winning the seat. The Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election is scheduled for October 6, while counting of votes will take place on October 9. The contest assumes additional significance because the Nagaon Lok Sabha seat was won by Congress in the 2019 and 2024 general elections. The seat fell vacant after Pradyut Bordoloi resigned as MP and subsequently joined the BJP before contesting the Dispur Assembly constituency. For the BJP, winning Nagaon would represent more than a parliamentary bypoll victory. It could strengthen the partys claim that its organisational and electoral influence is expanding into areas traditionally dominated by Congress. For the Congress, retaining the seat would provide a crucial counter-narrative and demonstrate that its traditional support base in central Assam remains intact. With both parties treating Nagaon as a political bellwether, the October 6 verdict is likely to be closely watched as an early indicator of Assams electoral mood.
Nagaon bypoll: Ajmal confident of AIUDF win, takes aim at BJP-Congress
Digital Desk | Guwahati, Sep 16 (IANS) All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) chief, Badruddin Ajmal, has expressed confidence that his party will emerge victorious in the upcoming Nagaon Lok Sabha bye-election in Assam, asserting that both the BJP and Congress will face defeat in the contest. Speaking in Hojai on Monday, Ajmal said the AIUDF's campaign would focus on what he described as humanity, while taking a swipe at the BJP and Congress over their respective political approaches. The BJP talks about Hindus, while the Congress does not talk about the concerns of either Hindus or Muslims. We talk about humanity, so we are fully confident that we will win, and the other two parties will lose, Ajmal said. The AIUDF chief is set to file his nomination papers for the Nagaon bye-election at 10 a.m. on Tuesday. The party had earlier named Ajmal as its candidate for the bypoll, setting up a closely watched electoral contest in one of Assam's politically significant Lok Sabha constituencies. Ajmal's candidature was announced a day before the deadline for filing nominations. The bye-election was necessitated following the vacancy in the Nagaon Lok Sabha seat. The contest has drawn attention because of the political significance of Nagaon, which has a substantial mix of communities and has traditionally witnessed competition among the BJP, Congress and minority-focussed political forces. Ajmal, who is the AIUDF's founder and chief, is a prominent political figure in Assam and currently represents Binnakandi in the state Assembly. The AIUDF has sought to project its campaign around issues concerning people across communities, with Ajmal positioning the party's approach as distinct from what he described as the BJP's focus on Hindu voters and the Congress' inability to adequately address the concerns of either community. The BJP and Congress are also expected to focus on their respective organisational strengths and voter bases as campaigning gathers pace. With Ajmal entering the fray, the Nagaon bypoll is set to become a significant test for the AIUDF's political standing in central Assam. The AIUDF chief reiterated that his party was confident of securing the seat and defeating both the BJP and Congress in the upcoming election. Meanwhile, the BJP has fielded former IAS officer and former Nagaon Deputy Commissioner Devasish Sharma, while the Congress has nominated former Batadroba MLA Sibamoni Bora. The contest assumes additional significance because the Nagaon Lok Sabha seat was won by the Congress in the 2019 and 2024 general elections. The seat fell vacant after Pradyut Bordoloi resigned as MP and subsequently joined the BJP before contesting the Dispur Assembly constituency.
Digital Desk | Guwahati, Sep 15 (IANS) Assam Congress President and Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi on Tuesday expressed confidence that the party would emerge victorious in the upcoming Nagaon Lok Sabha bye-election, while alleging that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been making a secret pact with Badruddin Ajmal-led all India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) out of panic of a probable win of the Congress in the vacant Lok Sabha seat. Speaking to reporters here, Gogoi said the Congress was preparing for an aggressive campaign and remained confident of defeating its rivals in the October 6 bypoll. We are very confident of putting up a solid campaign, and we are confident of a victory in the forthcoming Nagaon bye-election, he added. Gogoi's remarks came amid indications that the AIUDF may field its President Badruddin Ajmal from Nagaon, potentially adding another significant player to what is already shaping up to be a closely fought political contest. The Congress leader claimed that the AIUDF had reconsidered its earlier candidate strategy after the Congress announced its nominee. According to Gogoi, the development reflected the strength of the Congress' position in the Lok Sabha constituency. Earlier, the AIUDF was thinking about another candidate, but after the Congress party announced its official candidate, the AIUDF have done a rethink, he said. Gogoi also targeted the BJP, alleging that the ruling party in Assam had become concerned after the Congress fielded a strong candidate. He claimed that a possible Badruddin Ajmal's candidature would ultimately work in favour of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The BJP has panicked and understood that the Congress has put forward a strong candidate, Gogoi said, alleging that the BJP had turned to its rusted political ally AIUDF to strengthen its position. The bypoll has consequently emerged as an important political test for both major parties ahead of the 2029 general election. The BJP has fielded former IAS officer and former Nagaon Deputy Commissioner Devasish Sharma, while the Congress has nominated former Batadroba MLA Sibamoni Bora. The political contest assumes additional significance because the Nagaon Lok Sabha seat was won by Congress in the 2019 and 2024 general elections. The seat fell vacant after Pradyut Bordoloi resigned as MP and subsequently joined the BJP ending his long association with the Congress just before this year's Assembly polls in the state. Bordoloi also contested successfully on a BJP ticket from Dispur Assembly constituency and he became an MLA. For the BJP, winning Nagaon would represent more than a Parliamentary bypoll victory. It could strengthen the party's claim that its organisational and electoral influence is expanding into areas traditionally dominated by the Congress. For the Congress, retaining the seat would provide a crucial counter-narrative and demonstrate that its traditional support base in central Assam remains intact. With both parties treating Nagaon as a political bellwether, the October 6 verdict is likely to be closely watched as an early indicator of Assam's electoral mood.
Assam bypoll: BJPs Devasish Sharma vs Cong Sibamoni Bora sets up tussle between ex-bureaucrats
Digital Desk | Guwahati, Sep 15 (IANS) The Congress has fielded former Batadroba MLA Sibamoni Bora for the October 6 Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election, setting up a high-stakes contest against BJP nominee Devasish Sharma, a former IAS officer and former Nagaon Deputy Commissioner. The contest is shaping up as a direct political battle between two candidates with administrative backgrounds but sharply different electoral journeys. Bora, a former Block Development Officer, entered electoral politics in the 2021 Assam Assembly elections and emerged as one of Congress' prominent winners. Contesting from Batadroba, she defeated sitting BJP MLA and actor-turned-politician Angoorlata Deka by 32,820 votes, polling 84,278 votes and securing nearly 60 per cent of the votes. Her victory gave Congress a significant foothold in a constituency that had earlier been represented by the BJP. Bora also carries a considerable political legacy. She is the daughter of former Batadroba MLA Kiran Bora and a daughter-in-law of Golap Borbora, Assam's first non-Congress Chief Minister. While her family background provides an established political network, her 2021 victory demonstrated her ability to convert that legacy into an electoral mandate. The constituency, however, has undergone major political and geographical transformations since then. The 2023 delimitation exercise abolished the Batadroba Assembly seat and incorporated the area into the Nagaon-Batadraba constituency. Bora's return to electoral politics, therefore, comes in a substantially altered political landscape. The BJP, meanwhile, has placed its bet on Devasish Sharma, a former IAS officer who served as Nagaon's Deputy Commissioner before taking voluntary retirement to enter politics. His administrative tenure could give him familiarity among voters, local officials and political networks, while his candidature represents the BJP's continuing effort to leverage governance credentials in electoral contests. The bypoll became necessary after Congress' Pradyut Bordoloi resigned from the Nagaon Lok Sabha seat and joined the BJP ahead of the 2026 Assam Assembly elections. Bordoloi, who had also won Nagaon in 2019, subsequently contested and won the Dispur Assembly seat. The result will therefore carry significance beyond the individual candidates. For Congress, retaining a seat it won in 2019 and 2024 would provide a crucial political boost. For the BJP, capturing Nagaon would underline the party's expanding electoral strength in Assam and convert Bordoloi's defection into a decisive parliamentary gain. Voting will take place on October 6, with counting scheduled for October 9.
Assam: BJP-Congress contest in Nagaon bypoll will test politics of fear, says Gaurav Gogoi
Digital Desk | Guwahati, Sep 14 (IANS) Assam Congress president and Jorhat Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi on Monday said that the upcoming Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election would essentially be a direct political contest between the BJP and the Congress and described the poll as a test of whether the ruling partys alleged politics of fear would prevail or voters would demonstrate the courage to oppose it. Speaking to IANS, Gogoi said, The main political contest will be between the BJP and the Congress. This election will be an examination of whether the BJP's politics of fear wins, or whether the courage among people against the BJP ultimately translates into a victory for the people. He said the Congress was confident that voters in Nagaon would reject what he described as an atmosphere of fear and intimidation. Our full belief is that the people of Nagaon will uproot the atmosphere of fear that the BJP is creating. Today, people are demanding their rights from the government as citizens. They are demanding respect as citizens. People will reject this politics of fear and intimidation, Gogoi said. The bypoll has assumed significance for both the BJP and the Congress after the constituency was vacated by former Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi. A two-time Congress MP from Nagaon, Bordoloi resigned from the party and the Lok Sabha earlier this year before joining the BJP ahead of the Assam Assembly elections. He subsequently contested from Dispur on a BJP ticket and won, leaving the Nagaon parliamentary seat vacant. The BJP has now fielded former Nagaon Deputy Commissioner and IAS officer Devasish Sharma for the bypoll. Sharma took voluntary retirement from government service on September 3, joined the BJP on September 8 and was named the partys candidate on September 11, within days of leaving the bureaucracy. His candidature has become another major flashpoint in the campaign. The Congress has questioned the timing of his retirement and political entry, pointing out that Sharma had served as Nagaons District Commissioner as well as District Election Officer before entering electoral politics. Congress MP Rakibul Hussain has approached election authorities seeking scrutiny of decisions taken during Sharmas tenure. The BJP, however, has defended Sharmas candidature, maintaining that there was nothing improper about a government officer entering politics after his voluntary retirement was accepted. The Nagaon contest is particularly important for the Congress as the party seeks to retain a constituency it held in the 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha elections under Bordoloi. In the 2024 election, Bordoloi defeated BJP candidate Suresh Bora, while the AIUDF also polled a significant number of votes. The by-election will be held on October 6, with counting scheduled for October 9. With the BJP seeking to convert Bordolois switch and Sharmas local administrative profile into electoral advantage, the Congress is attempting to turn the contest into a referendum on the BJP governments style of politics. For Gogoi, therefore, the Nagaon bypoll is more than a fight for a vacant Lok Sabha seat. He has framed it as a choice between what he calls the BJPs fear and intimidation and the courage of voters to demand rights, dignity and accountability from those in power.
Why New Secretariat At Silchar Is Himanta Sarma's Game Changer For Barak Valley
It marks a significant step towards decentralising the functioning of the Assam government and reducing the region's dependence on Dispur.
FREMAA Recruitment 2026: Job Opportunities for Accounts Assistants and More, Apply by September 6
Dispur, August 25: Many young individuals still prefer government jobs over private sector employment. If you are among them, the Assam Flood and River Erosion Management Agency (FREMAA) has announced a recruitment notification for various positions, including IT Assistants, on a contractual basis. Applications are invited from qualified and interested candidates. The vacancies announced by ... Read more FREMAA Recruitment 2026: Job Opportunities for Accounts Assistants and More, Apply by September 6
Northeast Frontier Railway Invites Applications for 6,777 Apprentice Positions
Dispur, August 17: A significant opportunity has arisen for youth aspiring to work in the railway sector. The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has announced the recruitment of 6,777 apprentice positions under the Apprentices Act of 1961. This recruitment aims to provide training in various trades across its workshops, divisions, and units. The vacancies are distributed ... Read more Northeast Frontier Railway Invites Applications for 6,777 Apprentice Positions
NHM Assam Announces Massive Recruitment for 2,204 Staff Nurse Positions
Dispur, August 3: A significant opportunity has emerged for individuals in the medical field seeking government employment. The National Health Mission (NHM) Assam has officially announced the recruitment of 2,204 staff nurse positions on a contractual basis. This announcement comes through an official notification aimed at eligible and interested candidates. Among the 2,204 vacancies, there ... Read more NHM Assam Announces Massive Recruitment for 2,204 Staff Nurse Positions
Two students detained for painting Sonam Wangchuk's portrait on flyover in Assam
During a routine patrol, Dispur Police apprehended two art students who were painting a portrait on a flyover pillar. The students, who insisted their work was independent and not organized, were released after a stern warning. This incident highlights the Assam government's recent ban on unauthorized artwork on public structures.
