Jorhat, Sept 13: With the October-6 Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll drawing closer, political activity has begun gathering pace, with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma set to join the BJP’s campaign after September 15. Speaking to the press after inaugurating several infrastructure projects in Jorhat on Sunday, Sarma said State BJP president Dilip Saikia and Minister Pijush Hazarika are currently overseeing the party’s preparations.

“Assam State BJP president Dilip Saikia and Minister Pijush Hazarika are looking after the Nagaon bypoll. I have not been involved much in it yet.

I will go for its campaign after September 15 or 16,” Sarma said. His remarks came as the BJP stepped up its organisational activities in Nagaon, with Hazarika and Dispur MLA Pradyut Bordoloi attending a large joining programme and public meeting organised by the Garajan Mandal of the BJP’s Nagaon district unit at Rupohihat on Sunday.

Rupohihat, once considered a Congress stronghold, witnessed the joining programme as the BJP intensified its grassroots campaign ahead of the bypoll. In social media posts, Hazarika said the growing support for the BJP in Nagaon reflected people’s faith in Sarma’s leadership and the party’s development agenda.

He expressed confidence that the momentum would continue with BJP candidate and former Nagaon District Commissioner Devasish Sharma. Hazarika also inaugurated the BJP’s Garajan Mandal office at Rupohihat and interacted with party workers as part of preparations for the by-election.

“A strong organisation is the foundation of a strong political movement. With unity, discipline and sustained grassroots efforts, we will continue to strengthen the BJP and take our message of development to every household,” Hazarika said.

The increased political activity comes against the backdrop of the BJP fielding former Nagaon Deputy Commissioner Sharma for the bypoll. The Election Commission has scheduled polling for October 6, with counting set for October 9.

State BJP president Dilip Saikia said the party ticket had been formally handed over to Sharma for the bypoll on Sunday. The BJP’s choice of Sharma has already drawn criticism from the Congress.

Earlier, APCC president Gaurav Gogoi had questioned the party’s decision to field an “outsider” and criticised Sharma following his entry into electoral politics. The Nagaon contest is expected to be closely fought, with the BJP, Congress and other parties preparing to intensify their campaigns ahead of polling.