NDA banks on Himanta’s 16 rallies to turn the tide; first starts today

Guwahati: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma will begin campaigning on Monday for NDA candidate Devasish Sharma in Lok Sabha bypoll in Nagaon parliamentary constituency.Sharma said CM is expected to address 16 rallies across eight assembly segments under Nagaon Lok Sabha seat, with two meetings in each segment. Sarma will start the campaign from Raha, Sharma told a news conference.Nagaon seat fell vacant after former MP Pradyut Bordoloi quit Congress and joined BJP ahead of Assam assembly elections. Bordoloi is now MLA from Dispur.Sharma, a former IAS officer, took voluntary retirement on Sept 4 and joined BJP on Sept 8.“We, the party workers, are extremely excited and encouraged. When a leader of his stature leads from the front, he gives us a clear sense of how we should move forward,” Sharma said, adding that enthusiasm among party workers would increase with Sarma’s participation.Four of the eight assembly segments — Dhing, Rupahihat, Samaguri and Laharighat — have minority-majority electorates. BJP does not hold these seats: Dhing is represented by a Raijor Dal MLA, while Rupahihat, Samaguri and Laharighat are represented by Congress MLAs. BJP holds Nagaon-Batadrava, Raha, Morigaon and Jagiroad.Sharma said minority voters would support BJP “for the sake of all round development.”Congress has fielded former MLA Sibamoni Bora, while AIUDF has fielded its chief, Badruddin Ajmal, MLA from Binnakandi and a former three-time MP from Dhubri.Minister Pijush Hazarika said the contest looked less challenging and that Sharma’s victory seemed likely.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Guwahati | Silver Rate in Guwahati | Bank Holidays in Guwahati | Public Holidays in Guwahati | Guwahati AQI | Weather in Guwahati | Petrol Price in Guwahati | Diesel Price in Guwahati | CNG Price in Guwahati | LPG Price in GuwahatiStay updated with the latest Guwahati news. Download the TOI App.