Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s campaign for the Bawana Assembly seat by-election slated for August 23 is yet to take off as its candidate Ved Parkash has not filed his nomination papers. Parkash will file his nomination on August 5 after Vice- President's election as the senior BJP leaders are engrossed in importaht election.
The seat fell vacant after sitting AAP MlA Ved Prakash resigned from the Assembly and party in March.
On the contrary, three term MlA from Bawana seat, Surender Kumar from the Congress has filed his nomination. He was accompanied by Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken and other party leaders. "The Congress has fielded an honest worker as the candidate for the Bawana by-election who has served the constituency selflessly for 15 years, faithfully upholding the values, policies and programmes of the party," Maken said.
Member of Parliament from West Delhi constituency, Parvesh Verma said that the BJP has started its door to door campaigning and has assigned workers at booths. "Campaigning will gain momentum after August 5," he said. Senior BJP leaders may join the poll campaign after the Vice-Presidential poll, said a senior State functionary.
Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari said that apart from the local workers of Bawana, small groups of party workers from adjoining Assembly constituencies will also join the campaign and will be monitored by the State leaders. BJP is banking upon its spectacular success in municipal polls and by-election of Rajaurai Garden seat where its candidate Manjinder Singh Sirsa defeated AAP’s Harjit Singh.
On the other hand, the Aam Admi Party (AAP) candidate Ramchandra has also filed his nomination on Wednesday. Senior AAP leaders were present during the filing of nomination. Former BJP legislature Gugan Singh Ranga who joined AAP recently, will campaign for the AAP candidate.
Gopal Rai, AAP's Delhi convenor and a Minister in Arvind Kejriwal Government, who was also present said, "Only AAP is dedicated for the development of Bawana. Delhi Government is spending Rs 200 crore for the developmental work in wards, adding, "Every resident of Bawana from colonies or villages is with the AAP as they know the party is working for them."
After filing the nomination papers, the AAP candidate said that he was committed for the welfare of the people of Bawana Assembly seat and will accomplish pending work in remaining two years. "The party has developed faith in aam admi (common man) and this belief will help us to win the by-election," he added further.