BJP way ahead in campaign, Cong looking for miracle in Champawat bypoll

BJP way ahead in campaign, Cong looking for miracle in Champawat bypoll

B.D.Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, May 21

The poll managers of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are not leaving any stone unturned in the run up to the bypoll for the Champawat assembly segment where Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is the party candidate. The polling for the bye-election will be held on May 31. On the other hand, main opposition-Congress after a thorough drubbing in the recently concluded state assembly elections where they were hopeful of return to power, are not able to put their act together to give a formidable fight to the Chief Minister.

Ironically,  Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami who led his party to victory in the state assembly polls in February ,this year himself lost the election from his assembly segment of Khatima. However, the BJP leadership choose him to head the state government again. More than half a dozen legislators had offered to resign to pave the way for the Chief Minister to enter the state assembly, but Dhami decided to contest from adjoining assembly segment of Champawat in Kumoan region. The BJP legislator Kailash Gehtori resigned forcing a bypoll. It is necessary for the Chief Minister to enter the state legislature within six months of taking over the reins of the state.

The ruling BJP after a resounding victory in state assembly elections the party is  busy vigorously campaigning to ensure a respectable victory for the Chief Minister, while the opposition Congress is waiting for some miracle to happen. The Congress has put up Nirmala Gehtori, a former Zila Parishad President following refusal by Himesh Kharkwal, a former Congress legislator and a front runner for the ticket. He recently lost the state assembly poll from the assembly segment.

“We are aiming  for a record break win to prove that Pushkar Singh Dhami is a popular leader in the state,” said Kailash Sharma, former Almora MLA and in charge of BJP campaign committee in Champawat bye-election.

BJP has been carrying out an aggressive and well-planned campaign or the by-poll, and party’s senior leaders, with defined roles and areas are campaigning in each nook and corner of the assembly segment. “
“ The strategy is to reach out to each and every voters and groups and localities. Even the Muslim community has pledged vote and support for the Chief Minister, ‘ claimed Kailash Sharma. Geeta Dhami,  wife of Chief Minister is also part of the campaign.

The opposition Congress hit by low morale, lack of resources and internal infighting has not been able to put up a formidable fight. Although, party has come up with its’ list of star campaigners but except for few none has yet reached Champawat leaving Nirmala Gehtori on her own. Former Chief Minister Harish Rawat has promised to campaign.

“ We are putting up a tough fight with Nirmala Gehtori, our candidate ably supported by senior leaders. Uttarakhand Congress Chief Karan Mahra and former state Congress chief and Chakrata MLA Pritam Singh campaigned today,” said Suryakant Dhasmana, senior Vice-president of the Uttarakhand Congress.

As nearly 53000 voters, out of a total 97369, reside in Tanakpur and Banbasa plain areas of the constituency, both the parties are focussing on those voters.

.”The voters of Champawat will consider the issues of inflation , unemployment and lack of governance in the state that are related with  their day to day lives,” said Himesh Kharkwal, former Champawat MLA and congress campaign in charge in Champawat bypoll.