Former Nagaon Deputy Commissioner Debasish Sharma and journalists Lenin Saurav Bora and Gunjan Kalita joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on September 8, days ahead of the Nagaon bypoll.
They joined the party at a programme attended by Assam BJP president and MP Dilip Saikia, Cabinet Ministers Piyush Hazarika, Jayanta Malla Baruah and Kaushik Rai, Nagaon MLA Rupak Sharma and other senior leaders.
Saikia highlighted Debasish Sharma’s experience in administration and his association with Assam’s social and cultural life, saying his entry would strengthen the party.
Sharma’s induction has fuelled speculation that the BJP could consider him for its Nagaon bypoll ticket. Saikia, however, said Sharma had not sought a ticket before joining the party.
“We have a panel of candidates,” Saikia said, adding that discussions on the election were already underway. He said the party could consider Sharma if a request came from him or people in Nagaon.
Saikia said the state and central leadership would decide the responsibility assigned to Sharma within the party.
The induction of Sharma, Bora and Kalita came as political activity intensified in Nagaon ahead of the bypoll, with parties stepping up preparations for the contest.
