GUWAHATI | Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday described the upcoming Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll as a crucial contest for the BJP, saying a victory could signal the party’s potential to win all 126 Assembly seats in the 2031 election.

Addressing a press conference at Cinamora Sammilan Kendra in Jorhat, Sarma said the Nagaon result would provide an indication of the BJP’s political position ahead of the next Assembly polls. “The present Nagaon constituency comprises Morigaon, Jagiroad, Raha and Nagaon. If we consider the panchayat-level results of the last Assembly election, we won all these constituencies,” Sarma said.

He, however, acknowledged that the constituency was not traditionally a BJP stronghold, pointing out that the party had suffered significant losses in Samaguri, Dhing, Rupohihat and Lahorighat. According to Sarma, the BJP has seen a shift in voter sentiment in Nagaon since campaigning for the bypoll began. He claimed that support for the party had increased even in areas where it does not have MLAs and that several people had joined the BJP.

“An atmosphere is being created in favour of people voting for the BJP, and the situation is improving every day,” he said. Sarma said ministers Keshab Mahanta and Pijush Hazarika, along with MLA Jitu Goswami, were working for the BJP in the constituency. Although he has not yet visited Nagaon himself, he said party leaders campaigning there had reported a favourable political atmosphere.

“Let the election results come; only then will we know. But the atmosphere has been improving over the past month,” he said. The Chief Minister said a BJP victory in Nagaon would strengthen his assessment that the party could aim for all 126 Assembly seats in the 2031 election.

‘Our target is BJP, AGP and UPPL’

Asked about political attacks involving opposition leaders, including AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal and Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi, Sarma said he was not interested in personal or social media-driven controversies.

“I neither think about Ajmal nor do I think about Gaurav Gogoi. Our target is the BJP, AGP and UPPL. Therefore, we will continue to focus on doing good work,” he said. Sarma also said he would stay away from political arguments and social media controversies, including the practice of making reels.

The Nagaon bypoll is scheduled for October 6, with the BJP, Congress and AIUDF emerging as the principal contenders.