PrashantNews
The ruling BJP would like to settle a score with Congress in the Kedarnath byelection after suffering defeats in Badrinath and Mangalaur assembly bypolls in July.
The scintillating victories in Badrinath and Mangalaur gave the Congress a new hope that it can now win Kedarnath seat also. The main opposition party is leaving no stone unturned to wrest the seat from the BJP in the bylection slated for Nov 20. The seat fell vacant following the death of BJP MLA Shaila Rani Rawat on July 9.
Both the parties have not declared their candidates so far. BJP is likely to bet on Aishwarya, daughter of late rawat. However, former party MLA Asha Nautiyal is also trying her best to contest election on BJP seat this time.
On the other hand, Congress top leadership including former Chief Minister Harish Rawat is backing former party MLA Manoj Rawat to contest from Kedarnath. “A consensus is emerging in the party circle over Manoj Rawat,” a top state Congress leader said. Other party leaders like Ganesh Godiyal and Harak Singh Rawat have also evinced their readiness to jump into the poll fray.
The Election Commission on last Tuesday announced that the Kedarnath assembly bypoll will be held on Nov 20 and the counting of votes will begin on Nov 23.
Meanwhile the notification for the byelection has been issued. The last date of filing of nomination papers will be Oct 29. The scrutiny will be held next day. The withdrawal of nominations can be done till Nov 4.
After its ignominious white wash in the Lok Sabha elections for the third time consecutively, the Congress showed signs of recovery when it won both Badrinath and Manglaur seats in the bypolls in July. Congress is exuding confidence that it would win the Kedarnath byelection also this time. “We will win Kedarnath seat,” said state Congress chief Karan Mahra.
On the other hand, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has announced a number of new schemes that would benefit the Kedarnath people. He has also warned his opponents that his government would not tolerate love jihad, spit (thuk) jihad and land jihad in the state. The people of Kedarnath will prefer development and give BJP a strong mandate in the byelection, Dhami said.