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These days, electoral excitement is at its peak in the corridors of Indian politics, especially in the North-Eastern state of Assam, political equations are changing very fast. The country’s largest political party Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has officially announced the name of its candidate for the upcoming by-election on the very important Naugaon Lok Sabha seat of Assam. According to the list released by the party on Friday, former administrative officer Debashish Sharma, who recently joined the saffron party, has been made the party’s official candidate for the Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election. Interestingly, Debashish Sharma had taken membership of BJP just four days before starting his political innings, and the party’s confidence in him so soon has become a topic of discussion in political circles. The contest between political parties on this seat is expected to be very interesting, because this by-election is not just an ordinary election but is becoming a big battle for the political future of the state and regional dominance, on which political analysts across the country are keeping a close eye.
This by-election of Nagaon Lok Sabha seat of Assam is being considered very politically sensitive and important. If we look at the political history of this constituency, this seat had become vacant due to the resignation of senior Congress party leader Pradyut Bordoloi, who had won this seat brilliantly on the Congress ticket in the year 2024 general elections. However, the political equations and the cycle of time continued to change, and later this seat became vacant amid the political developments related to Pradyut Bordoloi, after which the Election Commission has now announced to hold by-elections here. According to the schedule fixed by the Election Commission, voting will be held on Naugaon Lok Sabha seat on October 6, while its results will be known after counting of votes on October 9. With the announcement of election dates, the political temperature in this part of Assam has reached sky high. All the major political parties have started exerting their strength and the round of election rallies, meetings and strategic discussions has intensified from rural to urban areas. By fielding Debashish Sharma, BJP has indicated that they are in a mood to give all their strength to win this seat, while the opposition parties have also started preparing their complete strategy to turn this contest into a close contest.
Debashish Sharma, who entered the electoral world on BJP ticket from Naugaon seat, is not just a politician but a very experienced and seasoned former administrative officer. Debashish Sharma, who has a bachelor’s degree in English Literature and post graduation in Public Relations, started his career through administrative services. He joined the Assam Civil Service (ACS) in the year 1992, and his first posting was in Barpeta district. During his long and impeccable administrative career, he has handled many important and challenging responsibilities. He met the then Governor of Assam, Lieutenant General S.K. Also worked very closely as Sinha’s special officer. Additionally, he also served as the Deputy Resident Commissioner of Assam Bhawan, Mumbai, where he represented the interests of the Government of Assam in the financial capital of the country. His tenure as Commissioner of Guwahati Municipal Corporation and District Commissioner of Morigaon district was also much talked about. Debashish Sharma, known for his different and strict working style in the administrative department, had taken voluntary retirement (VRS) from his post while holding the post of District Commissioner of Nagaon, after which he took a bold decision to formally enter politics.
Starting this new journey from administrative service to politics, Debashish Sharma had joined the Bharatiya Janata Party just four days ago i.e. on 8th September at the main BJP office in Guwahati. Party state president Dilip Saikia had formally welcomed him by wearing a BJP scarf and giving him party membership. During this joining ceremony, many senior cabinet ministers of Assam government and many senior leaders of BJP were present, which was a clear proof of how much importance they are being given within the party. However, with his entry into politics, he has also had to face the harsh attitude of some political opponents. Recently, Congress MP Rakibul Hussain had lodged a formal complaint with the Chief Electoral Officer of Assam. In his complaint, he had demanded a thorough review of various administrative decisions taken during the tenure of Debashish Sharma as District Commissioner of Naugaon and appropriate legal and administrative action should be taken against him. The Chief Electoral Officer has forwarded that complaint directly to the Election Commission for necessary action and guidelines. Amidst all these political upheavals, complaints and discussions, Debashish Sharma’s entry into the electoral fray is creating a new thrill in the politics of Assam.
Apart from the corridors of politics and administration, Debashish Sharma has another big identity as a sensitive social worker and philanthropist. He has been continuously working for the weakest and needy section of the society. Notably, he is the Founder Chairman and Chief Trustee of ‘Deepshikha’, a renowned cancer care organization dedicated to helping patients suffering from incurable and devastating disease like cancer. Through his organization, he has done a commendable job of providing medical assistance, mental support and shelter to thousands of cancer patients and their families not only in Assam but also in the entire North-Eastern region. After serving the public as a civil servant, he has now set out to strengthen his presence among the public through social concerns as well as the political platform. Depth of administrative experience, long experience of social work and strong organizational support of the ruling party BJP – all these factors together will decide the direction of Debashish Sharma’s electoral future. The results of Naugaon Lok Sabha by-election will be declared on October 9, which will decide whether the public has approved this new political experiment of the former DC or not, but it is certain that this by-election has started a new and interesting chapter in the politics of Assam.