Having faced the debacle in lohardaga recently, the BJP appears upbeat in Panki bypoll scheduled to be held on May 16. Poll managers of the party are banking on two counts primarily to win the seat, which fell vacant after death of Congress’ Bidesh Singh.
“There were some good candidates with us but when we looked for lal Suraj, a strong candidate from outside the party. When we opted for lal Suraj, we were clear in out thoughts that even if he repeats his last performance we would win the seat very comfortably. We believe firmly that he would bring with him his loyal voters and adding to our cadre vote, the party would sail through easily,” said a top party functionary who has stationed himself at Panki when only ten days are left for the bypoll.
The party, though, never has been able to pocket the seat since its formation in 1980 and had been polled nearly 27,000 votes at that time, the best ever. “We have not won from here in the past due to certain organisational misunderstandings. last time in 2015, our candidate got over 29,000 votes without having much personal contribution and largely due to BJP and wave present there. Even if we get something less than our cadre votes adding to lal Suraj’s personal vote bank, there is no reason to worry,” said Ravindra Rai, BJP State president justifying the candidate selection.
lal Suraj, son of former minister Madhu Singh, had contested on JMM’s ticket and polled over 22,000 votes, fairing fourth in the last elections. His coming from backward caste is likely to be an added advantage, feels the BJP. The party had polled 63,000 votes in the area during the 2014 lok Sabha elections.
“There are about three lakh votes in the constituency and nearly half of that are of the Scheduled Caste while Other Backward Castes form 50,000 to 60,000 votes. JMM candidate Shashi Bhushan Mehta and lal Suraj share the OBC votes between them largely. Considering the forward vote bank with the party and adding the OBC votes the BJP sits pretty well on caste equation as well,” said senior BJP leader Prem Singh who was also among the front runners for the party ticket this time.
The party is also under a perception that since the four-time MlA Bidesh Singh is no more, his charisma is not going to be replicated by his son Devender Singh. “Congress as a party does not carry any substantial support base at Panki. It won the last election just because of Bidesh Singh. His son is nowhere near him. Apart from some sympathy votes, Devender is not a force to reckon with. There are triangular contest at Panki which we are leading on many counts,” added Prem Singh.