NAGAON | AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal made a series of provocative remarks against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, minister Piyush Hazarika and BJP candidate Debashish Sharma during an election rally at Borbori in Lahorighat as campaigning for the Nagaon bypoll intensified.

Addressing a gathering, Ajmal said he would “gouge out Himanta’s eyes” so that the chief minister could not “see Miya people”. He also claimed that Sarma and Hazarika would eventually “have to go to Bangladesh”.

Ajmal also targeted BJP candidate Debashish Sharma, who is contesting the Nagaon bypoll, saying he would “put Debashish Sharma in jail within four months”. He added that Sharma would be forgiven if he “recites the Kalima”.

Taking a swipe at his political standing, Ajmal told the gathering, “This doctor, that doctor – Ajmal is the factor.” The AIUDF leader also spoke about Iliyas Ansari, claiming that he had spent Rs 50 lakh on Ansari’s education and political grooming. Ajmal said Ansari would be given an AIUDF ticket in the upcoming election.

Ajmal’s remarks came as campaigning for the Nagaon bypoll entered a high-pitched phase, with rival parties stepping up their outreach across the constituency. Meanwhile, a Congress campaign meeting in Rupahihat witnessed protests after a group of people opposed the party’s rally at Hatipara.

The protesters raised slogans including “Congress Go Back”, “Gaurav Gogoi Go Back”, “Rakibul Hussain Go Back”, “Wajed Ali Choudhury Go Back”, “Ripun Bora Go Back”, “Nurul Huda Go Back” and “Shivamoni Bora Go Back”.

Black flags were also reportedly displayed in front of Congress leaders during the campaign. The developments underline the increasingly confrontational political atmosphere in Nagaon ahead of the bypoll, with rival parties intensifying attacks and counter-attacks on the campaign trail.