BJP nominates Munni Devi for by-election in Tharali - Hindustan Times
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BJP nominates Munni Devi for by-election in Tharali

Hindustan Times | By
May 08, 2018 09:54 PM IST

The BJP on Tuesday nominated Munni Devi, the widow of former legislator Magan Lal Shah, to contest bypoll in the Tharali assembly constituency in Chamoli district

The BJP on Tuesday nominated Munni Devi, the widow of former legislator Magan Lal Shah, to contest bypoll in the Tharali assembly constituency in Chamoli district.

Munni Devi, BJP nominee for Tharali assembly constituency.(HT Photo)
Munni Devi, BJP nominee for Tharali assembly constituency.(HT Photo)

She will file nomination on May 10 and balloting is scheduled on May 28. The bypoll became necessary after the sudden death of sitting MLA Magan Lal Shah in February.

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BJP central election commission secretary JP Nadda issued a statement nominating the 47-year-old for the election.

Munni, however, had already started preparing for the polls from the constituency reserved for scheduled caste candidates. She bought nomination papers on Monday.

Chief minister TS Rawat will accompany Munni Devi during her nomination papers submission along with state BJP president Ajay Bhatt, Haridwar MP Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’, cabinet ministers - Stapal Maharaj and Harak Singh Rawat, said Ranjeet Singh Negi, BJP mandal president.

The mother of five and district panchayat head of Chamoli district, Munni feels determined to retain the seat for the ruling party. “The party has entrusted me and we will win this seat, too,” she said.

The saffron party has planned a rally on the same day.

However, the party might suffer a setback in some parts of the constituency particularly in Ghat block from where Guddu Lal, who joined the party a fortnight ago has better vote bank.

In 2017 assembly polls, he received 13% votes while BJP won with 45% votes and Congress bagged 36% votes.

Guddu joined the BJP hoping to bag party ticket. But, he will be contesting election as an Independent. He will file nomination on the same day.

Party insiders said Guddu’s entry was seen as a vote bank politics, but equation will change once he files nomination.

“Not only he will be do damage to the BJP that is hopeful of its win, but also to the Congress by cutting votes in some important pockets,” a senior BJP leader said demanding anonymity.

Congress candidate Jeet Ram will also file nomination on May 10. For the party, the bypoll is a litmus test and that’s why they too have organised a public rally and meeting.

Devi Joshi, Congress block president Tharali, said former CM Harish Rawat would be present during filing of nomination papers.

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  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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    Nihi Sharma is a Principal Correspondent based in Dehradun. She has been working with Hindustan Times since 2008. Her focus areas are wildlife and environment. Besides, she also covers politics, health and education.

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