Guwahati: Former IAS officer Devasish Sharma joined BJP on Tuesday, fuelling speculation over Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll.Sharma took voluntary retirement last week after 34 years in govt service, stepping down as Nagaon DC. His induction came a day after Election Commission announced the bypoll.The seat fell vacant after then-Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi joined BJP and won Dispur assembly constituency this year.“After much deliberation, I have decided to join BJP. I was serving in govt for more than three decades and, during my tenure, I tried to contribute to the service of the state to the best of my ability,” Sharma said.He expressed faith in BJP, praised the development under PM Narendra Modi and CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, and denied any discussion about a party ticket. Sharma said he would accept any responsibility the party assigns.Highlighting Nagaon’s importance, Sharma cited Batadrava Than, the birthplace of Srimanta Sankardeva, and its connection with Assam’s identity.Sharma’s administrative postings included circle officer, protocol officer, special officer to the governor, Guwahati municipal commissioner and district commissioner of Morigaon and Nagaon. He also served as resident commissioner at Assam Bhavan in Mumbai from 2003 to 2021.State BJP president Dilip Saikia said Sharma’s administrative experience would strengthen the party. “In due course of time, the party will decide about the responsibilities to be entrusted to Sharma,” he said.Sources said Sharma was likely to be considered for BJP ticket for Nagaon bypoll.The notification will be issued on Sept 9 — nominations close on Sept 16 and candidature withdrawals on Sept 19. Voting will be held on Oct 6 and counting on Oct 9.In 2025, Ex-IPS officer Anand Mishra, who served in Assam and Meghalaya, contested Bihar assembly elections from Buxar on a BJP ticket and defeated Congress candidate Sanjay Kumar Tiwari by more than 28,000 votes.
