Baroda bypoll on November 3

Sushil Manav

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Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 29

Stakes are high for the ruling BJP-JJP combine as well as the Congress as the Baroda segment of Sonepat district goes to polls on November 3.

The bypoll was necessitated due to the death of Congress MLA from Baroda Sri Krishan Hooda, who died after a prolonged illness on April 12.

As per the schedule issued by the Election Commission of India today, the notification for byelection to 54 Assembly seats across the country, including Baroda, would be issued on October 9.

The last date for nomination is October 16, scrutiny will be done on October 17 and the last date for withdrawal of candidature is October 19. The date of polling is November 3. Counting of votes will be held on November 10.

The byelection is crucial both for the BJP-JJP alliance as well as the Congress, particularly former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda, as the result will prove their popularity or otherwise among the electorate.

A win will help the BJP-JJP alliance consolidate its position.

A victory will also provide the Congress an opportunity to prove its claims the ruling coalition has lost farmers’ confidence after the controversial farm Acts.

The INLD, too, is looking at this bypoll as an opportunity to re-establish its foothold after being relegated to just one seat in the 2019 elections.

Abhay Chautala, secretary general, INLD, said the party would announce its candidate at an appropriate time. He said people would reject both Congress and ruling BJP-JJP alliance.