Guwahati | Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched a sharp attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi following the BJP’s victory in the Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election, accusing him of pursuing politics that undermines the country’s unity, culture and progress.

“Stop the drama. Do not engage in politics that weakens the country,” Sarma said on Friday after the election results were announced. Describing the outcome as a major setback for Gandhi, the chief minister said the verdict reflected voters’ rejection of the Congress leader’s political approach.

“This is a major defeat for Rahul Gandhi. It is also a major defeat for his politics,” Sarma said. He further alleged that Gandhi had aligned himself with people who did not want India to progress. According to the chief minister, the Nagaon verdict conveyed a message that the country’s interests must take precedence over individual leaders and political ambitions.

“We have humbly reminded Rahul Gandhi that India is above you. The country comes first. You are not above the country,” Sarma said. The BJP’s Devashish Sharma won the Nagaon by-election, defeating AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal by a substantial margin. Congress candidate Sibamoni Bora finished third.

The result provided fresh ammunition for the BJP’s criticism of the Congress, with Sarma using the victory to challenge Gandhi’s political positioning. The by-election has once again brought the confrontation between the BJP and Congress into focus, as the ruling party seeks to portray the result as a mandate for its leadership and political agenda.