In a surprising turn of events, the recent bypolls in Uttarakhand saw the Congress clinching victory in both Assembly seats, dealing a setback to the ruling BJP. Mahendra Bhatt, the BJP state president, acknowledged that fielding turncoat leaders from other parties was a strategic error that contributed to these losses.
Analysis of Bypoll Results
Despite its resounding victory in the general elections earlier this year and its recent win in the 2022 Assembly polls, the BJP faltered in the bypolls. The party lost the Manglaur seat, historically challenging for them, and the religiously significant Badrinath seat, where they had previously held a strong position.
Mahendra Bhatt, reflecting on the outcomes, stated, “In Manglaur, where historically we have struggled, we lost by just 422 votes… In Badrinath, the contest was close throughout, with margins as slim as 200–300 votes per round. We need to thoroughly assess our strategy moving forward.”
Admission of Mistakes
One significant factor Bhatt highlighted was the decision to award tickets to leaders who had recently switched allegiance from the Congress. “During the Lok Sabha elections, we assured these leaders of tickets for the Assembly seats. In hindsight, this decision was a mistake,” Bhatt admitted during a state working committee meeting.
He further pledged to review these decisions and rectify any errors in future electoral strategies. Bhatt emphasized, “I am committed to reclaiming Badrinath for the BJP soon.”
Key Contestants and Their Backgrounds
The Badrinath bypoll saw Rajendra Singh Bhandari, a three-time Congress MLA who joined BJP earlier this year, losing to Congress’s Lakhpat Singh Butola by 5,224 votes. This loss is seen as a significant shift in the political landscape of Garhwal, where BJP previously held all 14 Assembly segments.
In Manglaur, Kartar Singh Bhadana, a recent BJP entrant from BSP and brother of noted politician Avtar Singh Bhadana, lost to senior Congress leader Qazi Nizamuddin by a narrow margin of 422 votes. This seat, traditionally contested between Congress and BSP, showcased a competitive environment.
Conclusion
The bypoll results serve as a critical reminder to the BJP of the importance of candidate selection and strategic planning. As they navigate the fallout from these losses, the party aims to regroup and strengthen its position in Uttarakhand politics.