In a bid to finalise the names of candidates for the forthcoming three Assembly by-elections on July 21, the State BJP has called a meeting of party workers and leaders on June 28-29.
This was disclosed by the State BJP president, Tirath Singh Rawat while talking to The Pioneer on Sunday. He further claimed, “The party would regain our two seats i.e. Doiwala and Someshwar, which were vacated by our MlAs after becoming members of the lok Sabha in the recently concluded general election-2014, because Chief Minister Harish Rawat has already accepted his defeat in Doiwala which is why he is planning to contest election from two seats i.e. Doiwala and Dharchula.” Now the million dollar question is that who will challenge CM Harish Rawat in upcoming Assembly bypoll, which is schedule to happen on July 21.
Meanwhile, three heavyweight leaders names i.e. Trivendra Singh Rawat, Bachi Singh Rawat and Prakash Pant are running for Doiwala and Dharchula Assembly seats in the BJP.
Sources further said that former Cabinet Minister and incumbent BJP national secretary Trivendra Singh Rawat is striving hard to get ticket from Doiwala seat. He had served the State twice between 2002-07 and 2007-12 but in 2012 he had contested Assembly election from Raipur Assembly seat. Talking to The Pioneer Rawat said that then Chief Minister had expressed his desire to contest election from Doiwala and his major portion had clubbed with Raipur Assembly constituency due to delimitation 2008 so he decided to shift to Raipur from Doiwala. He further said that in BJP party decides who will contest from where so he is not sure that he would be fielded. Although he made it clear that BJP has been winning the Doiwala seat since 2002 so definitely BJP would win Doiwala Assembly bypoll as well.
Sources further said that former Chief Minister and Haridwar MP Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank decision would play pivotal role because he may seek ticket for his family. Although the final decision will be made by the party high command so the contest is between Trivendra and Dr Nishank’s family.
Even for the Someshwar seat, which was vacated by BJP MlA Ajay Tamta by winning general election-2014, sitting MP Tamta is batting for his family. Meanwhile two names including Rajesh Arya and Mohan Ram Arya are running ahead. Although Rekha Arya, who was also giving tough fight to above two, missed the race because she held a press conference and made allegation against the BJP leaders on June 21.
In Dharchula seat, which was vacated by congress MlA harish Dhami, BJP two heavyweight leaders including Ex BJP state president Bachi Singh Rawat and Ex state cabinet minister Prakash Pant have expressed inability to contest election from the seat. Pant said that he had contested Assembly by poll-2012 against then chief minister Vijay Bahuguna from Sitarganj Assembly seat. Bachi Singh Rawat, who had strongly opposed the party high command decision when his name from missing from panel for Nainital Udhamsinghnagar Parliamentary seat during general election-2014, has also expressed sorry to party high command.
Talking to The Pioneer State president Tirath Singh Rawat, who had gone to Chaura village of Ekeshwar block where more than half dozen people died in a road accident to console the victim family, said that party would sit together to make a panel for three Assembly bypoll on june 28-29. The panel will be sent to party high command for their consideration because they will take final call on it.