Guwahati, Sep 7 (IANS) The Election Commission of India on Monday announced a by-election to the Nagaon Lok Sabha constituency in Assam, setting the stage for a fresh electoral battle in the seat vacated by former Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi following his dramatic switch to the BJP just before the 2026 Assam Assembly elections.
According to the Election Commission, the Nagaon Parliamentary Constituency (PC-9) has fallen vacant due to the resignation of Bordoloi. The poll will be held on October 6, with counting scheduled for October 9. The notification will be issued on September 9, while September 16 will be the last date for filing nominations.
Bordoloi, a two-time Lok Sabha MP from Nagaon and a veteran Congress leader, resigned from the party in March, days before the Assam Assembly elections. He subsequently joined the BJP and contested the Dispur Assembly seat on the ruling party’s ticket, winning the election. He then resigned from the Lok Sabha, creating the vacancy that has now triggered the bypoll.
His exit had come as a major setback for the Congress in Assam, particularly because Bordoloi had been a prominent party leader and was associated with the party for decades. He had cited differences within the organisation and alleged humiliation and sidelining before quitting Congress.
The Nagaon bypoll is therefore expected to assume significance beyond the vacant parliamentary seat. It will be an early electoral test of the BJP’s momentum following its strong performance in the Assam Assembly polls, while the Congress will seek to retain a constituency it had represented through Bordoloi.
The contest could also become more complicated for the Congress after the AIUDF decided to field its own candidate instead of supporting the opposition party.
The Election Commission said electoral rolls for Nagaon were finally published on February 10 this year, while EVMs and VVPATs will be used at all polling stations.
–IANS
tdr/uk
