BJP’s last-min candidate gives Dimple a walkover

In a volte-face, the BJP, which on Tuesday had decided against contesting the Kannauj Lok Sabha by-election, announced the candidature of Jagdev Yadav against Samajwadi Party’s Dimple Yadav.

In a volte-face, the BJP, which on Tuesday had decided against contesting the Kannauj Lok Sabha by-election, announced the candidature of Jagdev Yadav against Samajwadi Party’s Dimple Yadav.

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This, however, left the BJP nominee very little time to fill nomination before the 3 pm deadline.

Jagdev Yadav failed to reach the returning officer’s office in time and later alleged that he was stopped by SP workers at two places.

The BJP leader said he was intimated about being the party candidate for Kannauj by-election around 12 noon and at the time he was near Lucknow.

He said after being named as the candidate, he left for Kannauj to file nomination but was stopped by SP workers at Asiwan and Bangarmau and he could not reach the collectorate to file nomination.

Dimple Yadav, who is wife of Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akilesh Yadav, filed her nomination papers on Tuesday.

The BSP and the Congress had earlier decided against contesting from Kannuj.

The seat had become vacant after Akilesh Yadav resigned following his election to the UP legislative council on becoming the CM.

On Tuesday, the BJP state election committee headed by state president Lakshmikant Bajpai and senior leaders such as Lalji Tandon and Kalraj Mishra had decided not to field a candidate from Kannauj.

Bajpai said, “Local body elections are our priority, but since last (Tuesday) night there was huge pressure from the workers. The workers said that the party had to field a candidate, which I consider a good sign.”