Guwahati | Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi has urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to intervene in the upcoming Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election, citing concerns over the resignation of former Nagaon Deputy Commissioner Devasish Sharma and his reported plans to contest the poll on a BJP ticket.

Gogoi alleged that Sharma, who also served as the district election officer, had handled several sensitive electoral matters in the months preceding his resignation. He sought an independent, time-bound inquiry, saying any failure to address the concerns could affect public confidence in the electoral process.

In a post on X, the Congress MP from Jorhat said decisions taken by Sharma during his tenure as DC-cum-DEO could have a bearing on the perceived neutrality of the forthcoming bypoll.

Gogoi also alleged irregularities in the use of 15th Finance Commission funds at the Gram Panchayat level and raised questions over the alleged role of administrative influence in their implementation.

He called on the ECI to conduct an independent inquiry into Sharma’s tenure as district commissioner-cum-district election officer and examine the allegations relating to the Panchayat funds.

Gogoi said the inquiry should be completed within a specified timeframe to ensure transparency ahead of the by-election. The Congress leader also warned that inaction on the issues raised could undermine public trust in the fairness and neutrality of the electoral process