Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday stepped up his attack on Congress candidate Sibamoni Bora during an election rally in Morigaon, questioning her performance as the former legislator of the Batadroba Assembly constituency.

Addressing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers and supporters during campaigning for the upcoming Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll, Sarma alleged that Bora failed to raise important issues concerning Batadroba during her tenure as an MLA.

Taking a dig at the Congress candidate, the Chief Minister referred to Bora as a “silent bride” and claimed that despite representing Batadroba for five years, she did not raise the issue of Batadroba Than in the Assam Assembly.

Sarma also targeted Congress MP Rakibul Hussain, referring to his political activities in the Samaguri area. In an apparent reference to Hussain’s campaign efforts, Sarma said that if his visit to Samaguri had proved beneficial to him, he would invite the Congress leader to visit the constituency two or three more times.

The remarks came as the BJP-led alliance and Congress intensified their campaigns ahead of the Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll, scheduled for October 6.

The bypoll has taken on political significance in Assam, with the ruling BJP-led alliance seeking to retain its influence in the constituency while Congress tries to strengthen its position.

The BJP-led alliance has fielded Devashish Sharma, while Congress has nominated Sibamoni Bora. The contest has triggered an intensive campaign by senior leaders from both sides.

Sarma has been addressing a series of rallies and public meetings across the constituency, seeking support for the BJP-led alliance candidate and targeting Congress over its record in the state.

Congress leaders, meanwhile, have been highlighting issues concerning governance, development and local interests while seeking to mobilise voters.

With polling day approaching, the campaign has witnessed increasingly sharp exchanges between the two sides, with employment, development, governance and the performance of previous elected representatives emerging as key themes.

The Nagaon bypoll will be closely watched as campaigning enters its final phase.