AIUDF Names Badruddin Ajmal Candidate for Nagaon By-Election

The All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) has nominated party president Badruddin Ajmal as its candidate for the Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election scheduled for October 6. The seat became vacant after Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi resigned to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Ajmal, a former MP and current legislator, will face BJP nominee Devasish Sharma, Congress candidate Sibamoni Bora, and Trinamool Congress candidate Abdul Salam.

Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi alleged that Ajmal's nomination is a strategic move to assist the BJP, claiming the ruling party is panicked by the strength of the Congress candidate. In contrast, Ajmal predicted a one-sided victory and stated that the Congress will not be a factor in the contest. To prevent the division of anti-communal and anti-fascist votes, the Raijor Dal decided not to field a candidate in the constituency.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma described the by-poll as a critical bellwether for the 2029 general election and a test of the BJP's ability to penetrate traditional Congress strongholds. Sarma suggested that a victory in Nagaon could signal a broader shift in voter sentiment, potentially leading the BJP to win all 126 Assembly seats in the next state election. Nominations begin September 16, with vote counting set for October 9.