MP bypolls: ‘Lotus’ blooms in Shahdol, Nepanagar

Bhopal: Signalling continuance of support to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in the first electoral test in the wake of demonetisation, the 'lotus' today bloomed in Shahdol Parliamentary and Nepanagar Assembly constituencies in Madhya Pradesh as the saffron party retained both the seats. By securing 4,81,398 votes in Shahdol, BJP’s candidate Gyan Singh trounced his nearest Congress rival Himadri Singh – who bagged 4,21,015 votes – by a margin of 60,383 votes. Fifteen other candidates, including nine Independents, were also in the fray. The by-election was necessitated by the demise of Dalpat Singh Paraste (BJP).

Following the debacle in the Ratlam parliamentary by-election, Shahdol became nothing short of a prestige issue for the saffron party, which pitted two-time MP and state Cabinet Minister Gyan Singh against Congress nominee Himadri Singh, daughter of three-time MP late Dalbir Singh. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan himself assumed the reins of campaigning and drummed up support in Shahdol, Anuppur and Umaria districts. Nevertheless, the BJP, which boasted of a margin of 2,41,301 votes in the previous hustings, saw a dip in its fortunes and the winning margin reduced to 60,383 votes. The saffron banner was also unfurled over Nepanagar as BJP candidate Manju Dadu humbled her nearest Congress rival Antar Singh Barde by a margin of 42,198 votes.

Ms Dadu garnered 99,626 votes as against 57,428 votes fetched by Mr Barde. Two other candidates were also in the fray. The by-election was necessitated by the demise of Rajendra Dadu (BJP). The BJP reposed faith in his daughter Manju Dadu while the Congress fielded Mr Barde. State BJP President Nandkumar Singh Chauhan represents Khandwa in the Lok Sabha. Since Nepanagar is a part of Khandwa constituency, retaining it was a prestigious issue for him as well as the ruling party. Compared to previous election, the BJP improved its victory margin from 22,178 votes to 42,198 votes. A total 66 per cent of a 16,00,787 -- strong electorate – including 7,78,489 women – peacefully exercised their franchise in Shahdol while the corresponding figure in Nepanagar was 71.25 percent with respect to a 2,30,320-strong electorate – including 1,11,744 females. (UNI)