Former IAS Officer Debashish Sharma Named BJP Candidate For Nagaon Lok Sabha Bypoll In Assam

The BJP has named former IAS officer Debashish Sharma as its candidate for the Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll in Assam, setting the stage for a closely watched contest in the constituency.

Sharma, who until recently served as the Nagaon District Commissioner, took voluntary retirement from government service on September 3. Just five days later, on September 8, he joined the BJP and was subsequently chosen as the party's candidate for the by-election.

The Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll will be held on October 6, with counting scheduled for October 9.

The seat fell vacant after Pradyut Bordoloi, who won Nagaon on a Congress ticket in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, moved to the BJP and later won the Dispur Assembly constituency in the recent state polls.

Sharma's candidature comes amid a political controversy surrounding his tenure as Nagaon district chief. Congress MP Rakibul Hussain had last week approached the Assam Chief Electoral Officer, seeking a review of various decisions taken during Sharma's tenure and demanding appropriate action. The Chief Electoral Officer's office subsequently forwarded the complaint to the Election Commission for necessary action and instructions.

A graduate in English literature and postgraduate in public relations, Sharma joined the Assam Civil Services in 1992 and began his career in Barpeta. During his administrative career, he served as Special Officer to then Assam Governor Lt Gen S K Sinha and as Deputy Resident Commissioner of Assam Bhawan in Mumbai.

He later served as Commissioner of the Guwahati Municipal Corporation, District Commissioner of Morigaon and, eventually, Nagaon. Beyond administration, Sharma is also the founding chairman and trustee of Deepshikha, a cancer-care organisation.

His rapid transition from senior district administrator to electoral candidate adds an unusual dimension to the Nagaon contest and puts the BJP's choice under close political scrutiny.