It was a virtual show of strength by the ruling BJP in Uttarakhand and Opposition Congress as their respective candidates for the May 28 bypoll to Thalari assembly constituency filed nominations on Thursday.
BJP has fielded Munni Devi while Congress has given the ticket to former MLA Jeet Ram. The seat fell vacant after Devi’s husband and sitting MLA Magan Lal Shah died in February this year.
Chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat, cabinet minister Satpal Maharaj, state BJP president Ajay Bhatt, and BJP national secretary Tirath Singh Rawat accompanied Devi to the SDM office in Tharali where she filed her nomination.
“People of Tharali reposed faith in us earlier and this time too they will do so,” the CM told reporters.
Congress nominee Jeet Ram, a former MLA, also filed his nomination from the seat. He was accompanied by former CM Harish Rawat, Rajya Sabha MP Pradeep Tamta, state congress president Preetam Singh, former PCC chief Kishore Upadhyay and Leader of Opposition in state assembly Indira Hridesh
Speaking to reporters later, Hridayesh said the bypoll will be a referendum on the four years of Narendra Modi government at the Centre and over one year of TS Rawat government in the state. “Be it ₹15 lakh in every bank account or employment to two crore youths, BJP’s hollow pre-poll rhetoric stands exposed. People are disappointed and their disappointment with the Centre and the state will reflect in the bypoll verdict,” she said.
{{/usCountry}}Speaking to reporters later, Hridayesh said the bypoll will be a referendum on the four years of Narendra Modi government at the Centre and over one year of TS Rawat government in the state. “Be it ₹15 lakh in every bank account or employment to two crore youths, BJP’s hollow pre-poll rhetoric stands exposed. People are disappointed and their disappointment with the Centre and the state will reflect in the bypoll verdict,” she said.
{{/usCountry}}The BJP was able to pacify its leaders Guddu Lal and Balbir Guniyal who had threatened to contest as independents if denied a ticket. Both were seen sharing the stage with Devi.
“I met people of my constituency who asked me to stand by the party’s decision, Guddu Lal, who joined the oarty a fortnight ago, said.
Guniyal said that party was like a family. “Differences among its members are natural but that does not mean we go against it. I am with my party which is like family to me,” he added.
Among others BJP national president Amit Shah and Union ministers Smriti Irani and Thawar Chand Gehlot are likely to campaign in support of Devi in the coming days, party leaders said.
The bypoll result is likely to set the tone for the coming urban local body polls where the two parties would lock horns on 88 municipal bodies.