Guwahati: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has registered a complaint against former Nagaon District Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer Devasish Sharma following allegations of administrative irregularities and concerns over his reported political plans ahead of the Nagaon Lok Sabha bye-election.
The ECI’s Public Grievance Redressal System (PGRS) Cell informed Dhubri MP Rakibul Hussain that his complaint had been registered on the National Grievance Services (NGS) portal and forwarded to senior officials concerned for a response and necessary action.
The development comes days after Hussain submitted a representation to the Commission on September 3, seeking an independent and time-bound inquiry into allegations relating to Sharma’s conduct during his tenure as a government official.
In his representation, submitted through the Chief Electoral Officer, Assam, Hussain urged the ECI to ensure that Sharma was not relieved from government service until the allegations against him were examined.
The Congress MP referred to an earlier complaint submitted on August 30 and raised concerns over Sharma’s application for voluntary retirement. Hussain argued that Sharma’s decision to leave government service should not prevent scrutiny of actions taken during his tenure as a public servant.
Hussain also referred to reports and social media posts speculating that Sharma could enter electoral politics and emerge as a potential BJP candidate in the upcoming Nagaon Lok Sabha bye-election.
As part of his representation, Hussain submitted photographs which he claimed showed Sharma participating in extensive public interactions and outreach activities. He sought a comprehensive inquiry into the allegations and urged the Election Commission to ensure that any proceedings were conducted independently and within a defined timeframe.
Sharma has since taken voluntary retirement from government service after the Assam government accepted his request.
The former bureaucrat has also confirmed that he plans to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He said he was in discussions with the party and was awaiting a date for his formal induction.
“I will join the Bharatiya Janata Party. We are already in touch and, after my resignation, we spoke to local MLA Pijush Hazarika. They will give us a date to formally join the party,” Sharma said.
Explaining his decision to enter politics, Sharma cited the BJP government’s development agenda and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s leadership as key factors behind his decision.
“I am impressed by the pace of development under the BJP government and by the way Himanta Biswa Sarma is leading from the front,” he said, adding that he believed the BJP could provide him with a platform to contribute to development.
The ECI’s registration of Hussain’s complaint means the allegations have been formally taken up through its grievance mechanism. The registration, however, does not by itself establish the allegations against Sharma, and any findings would depend on the inquiry and response from the authorities concerned.