Voters in Panki Assembly constituency are taken by surprise with the bypoll schedule. They never thought they would be voting on May 16 soon after the last rites of their sitting MlA Bidesh Singh was held just over in the second week only of April. Singh had died on March 29.
Again since not many voters know as to within what period of time bypoll is held the announcement of poll schedule has come as a major surprise. A bypoll is held within 180 days from the date the seat falls vacant and the EC noticed this vacancy in Jharkhand's Godda and Panki assembly seats and decided to go for a bypoll in May 16.
A resident of Gurha village in this assembly segment Mumtaz Khan said, “As of now no one speaks about election or voting. The picture is silent. Once the nomination is complete and the withdrawal date is over then only one can feel the poll activity.” Khan said the ECI Delhi has given so little time for Panki that by the time one takes any stand here the polling would be over.
Some people preferring not to be quoted by their names said Panki may not return the son to the house. The son here is Bittu Singh of the deceased MlA Bidesh Singh. These people contend Panki has no history of any dynastic rule. Madhu Singh was the MlA. His son lal Suraj is struggling and struggling. Sankateshwar Singh was the MlA. He never launched his son into politics. These voters have the strong conviction that Panki would see the emergence of any new face. Much the response to this bypoll is lukewarm now the administration is getting tougher and tougher.