Nagaon bypoll politics has taken a sharper turn after Raijor Dal president and Sivasagar MLA Akhil Gogoi launched a pointed attack on Congress leader Mira Borthakur, accusing her of being politically close to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Gogoi described Borthakur as Sarma’s “fixed deposit”, adding another layer to the increasingly bitter opposition politics surrounding the October 6 Lok Sabha by-election.
The remark comes at a time when Congress and Raijor Dal have moved further apart, while the BJP has already positioned former Nagaon Deputy Commissioner Devasish Sharma as its candidate. The contest is now shaping up as a major test of opposition unity in Assam.
Akhil Gogoi intensifies attack ahead of Nagaon bypoll
Gogoi’s latest comments reflect the growing political confrontation between Raijor Dal and Congress. His party announced on September 15 that it would not field a candidate in the Nagaon bypoll, saying the decision was aimed at preventing a split in the opposition vote and stopping what Gogoi described as the rise of “communal forces”.
However, the decision came after Congress and Raijor Dal had already fallen out. The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee had accused Gogoi and his party of violating alliance norms and making repeated anti-Congress statements. Congress subsequently ended its political ties with Raijor Dal.
Against that background, Gogoi’s criticism of Borthakur has particular significance. Borthakur has been among the Congress leaders most vocal in attacking Gogoi and defending her party’s position ahead of the bypoll.
Why Mira Borthakur is in the spotlight
Mira Borthakur has emerged as a prominent Congress voice in the political battle around Nagaon. She has repeatedly expressed confidence in Congress’s prospects and previously described the seat as historically belonging to the party. She also said a Congress victory would be important for strengthening the party nationally.
Her confrontation with Gogoi is not new. In August, Borthakur criticised the Raijor Dal chief alongside senior Congress leader Bedabrat Bora, after Gogoi made remarks attacking Congress and its leadership. Congress leaders accused him of acting in a manner that could benefit the BJP.
Borthakur also questioned Gogoi’s criticism of Congress leaders during Assam’s flood crisis and argued that the opposition should focus on issues affecting people rather than internal political attacks.
Congress picks Sibamoni Bora for Nagaon bypoll
The political contest became clearer after Congress formally named former Batadrava MLA Sibamoni Bora as its candidate. The 63-year-old former legislator represented Batadrava from 2021 to 2026. Her selection ended days of uncertainty within the party over its nominee.
The BJP, meanwhile, has fielded Devasish Sharma, a former IAS officer who served as Nagaon deputy commissioner. Sharma took voluntary retirement earlier this month before joining the BJP and receiving the party ticket. His transition from administration to electoral politics has already drawn criticism from Congress leaders.
The bypoll was necessitated after Pradyut Bordoloi resigned as Congress MP and joined the BJP. He later won the Dispur Assembly seat as a BJP candidate in the 2026 Assam elections, defeating Borthakur.
Opposition unity remains a key issue
The Nagaon bypoll has therefore become more than a direct contest between the BJP and Congress. The division between Congress and Raijor Dal has raised questions over whether opposition votes can remain consolidated despite their political differences.
Bhupesh Baghel, Congress general secretary in charge of Assam, had earlier said alliance partners were prepared to work together on issues such as floods, illegal mining and other local concerns. However, Akhil Gogoi’s party did not attend that meeting.
Gogoi’s decision not to field a candidate could reduce one source of vote division, but his continued attacks on Congress indicate that cooperation between the two sides remains limited.
A closely watched Assam contest
The Nagaon bypoll will now feature Congress’s Sibamoni Bora against BJP’s Devasish Sharma, with other parties also entering the electoral race. The election is scheduled for October 6, while counting will take place on October 9.
As campaigning gathers pace, Gogoi’s “fixed deposit” jibe is likely to remain part of the wider political narrative. For Congress, the immediate challenge is to turn its organisational strength and traditional support base into votes. For the BJP, the contest offers an opportunity to convert Bordoloi’s switch into a broader electoral gain. The outcome could also shape the future of opposition coordination in Assam.
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