NEW DELHI; After a high-pitched battle in the Hathras case with the ruling dispensation, the Congress has to prove its mettle in the electoral battle. The state is witnessing a by-election that's likely to be a political litmus test for all stake holders: whether it is the ruling BJP, the opposition SP, BSP or the Congress.
Political stakes are high since the Congress was confined to just one seat in the last general elections in 2019. The grand old party has a tough task cut out: to garner votes for the party in these bypolls and also test the mood of the voters in the state.
The Congress is contesting this election under the direct leadership of Priyanka Gandhi, who is micro-managing the state's party affairs with her team.
The party has been in the forefront and out on the streets in many such cases right from Sonbhadra to Hathras.
The crime graph in the state has risen and the shootout in Ballia has fuelled the opposition's attack on the government.
Priyanka Gandhi has also seized the opportunity and has attacked the Chief Minister by taking to Twitter, "There has been 13 incidents of heinous crimes against women in the last one week. As per reports, four of them were killed or killed themselves. The lack of women's safety is disturbing. The chief Minister had no time for a special session on this. But a photo session is on, " she tweeted.
Congress leaders say the party is testing its strength in the state. That this isn't the final lap, but the first instance against the government since the party is visible on the streets and work is on in to consolidate the party in Uttar Pradesh.
Congress Secretary for the state Dheeraj Gurjar said, "The Congress is fighting these bypolls seriously and we are banking on taking up causes that affect people."
By-elections on seven assembly seats will be held on November 3 and the counting of votes will take place on November 10. All the seats going for the bypolls were held by BJP. The BJP has fielded Sangeeta Chauhan, wife of late Chetan Chauhan, to contest the Naugawan Sadat seat in the upcoming by-elections while Usha Sirohi will stake claim to her late husband Virendra Sirohi's legacy from his Bulandshahr seat.
The BJP has named both as its candidates for the by-elections scheduled for November 3.
The party has denied a ticket to Sangeeta Sengar, wife of former BJP MLA Kuldeep Sengar, who has been convicted in a rape case, from the Bangarmau seat. The party has named Shrikant Katiyar as its candidate from there.
In Malhani, the BJP candidate will be Manoj Singh, while Prempal Dhangar will contest the Tundla seat.
The party has named Upendra Paswan for the Ghatampur seat that fell vacant after the death of UP minister Kamal Rani Varun in August.
Meanwhile, the Congress has announced Rakesh Mishra as its candidate from the Malhani seat.