The Election Commission on Tuesday announced that the bypolls in two vacant Assembly constituencies of the State - Godda and Panki - will be held on May 16. The bypolls to Godda and Panki were necessitated due to the demise of BJP MlA Raghunandan Mandal and Congress legislator Bidesh Singh, respectively.
As per the announcement, nomination papers can be filed till April 29 after a gazette notification scheduled for April 22 and would be scrutinised on April 30. Candidates can withdraw their papers by May 2.
A press communiqué issued by the Commission says that results of both the Assembly constituencies would be declared on May 19.
With the announcement made, the model code of conduct has come into effect and would be applicable in Godda and Palamu districts prohibiting the State Government from making any new announcement specific to the area besides restraining all the political parties and the candidates into the fray.
The declaration, at the same time, would also fan the political posturing in the State afresh. There seems to be no confusion over the BJP contesting both the seats taking along its alliance partner AJSU, parties in Opposition are at loggerheads.
The RJD that held Godda on earlier occasions is the main claimant with backing of its partner in Bihar, JD-U. Whereas considering Godda region as one of the better turfs for the JVM, the Babulal Marandi's party would be in two minds before taking a decision, especially when it is coming close to a merger with the Nitish Kumar headed outfit.
The Congress may also fancy its chances since its good show at lohardaga recently though it will send the Opposition's unity call for a toss. "As far as Panki is concerned we are sure to contest. It is our sitting seat and we are in a good position.
For Godda, our party leadership would take an appropriate call at the right time," said Alok Dubey, a senior party functionary.
Notably, the Congress had inducted Bidesh Singh into the party fold just before the Assembly elections in 2014. On its part, the BJP had fielded a greenhorn from ABVP Amit Kumar Tiwari, the decision thought to have provided a virtual walkover to the strongman and faired the party on the pale third position. Commendable performance was of Independent Kushwaha Shashi Bhushan Mehta who had polled over 39,000 votes, i.e just 2000 less than victorious Bidesh Singh and 10,000 more than the BJP's.
looking assured amid all is the JMM which is determined to field party candidates in both the segments. "There are lots of issues before the people of the State. The BJP-led Government has taken anti-people, anti-tribal decisions one after other and turned out extremely unpopular in the eyes of the voters. Movement is building up against the Government and we would surely try to build upon that," said JMM spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharya.