Assembly bypoll to 4 seats on November 13

After the Jalandhar West bypoll held in July, all major political parties will test their mettle in the November 13 bypoll to the four Assembly segments of Dera Baba Nanak, Chabbewal, Barnala and Gidderbaha. The Election Commission announced the date for the bypoll on Tuesday.

Chief Electoral Officer Sibin C said the nominations could be filed till October 25, scrutiny would be on October 28, while the last date for withdrawals would be October 30. The voting would take place on November 13 and the announcement of results would be done on November 23.

With the announcement of the bypoll, the election code of conduct has come into effect in Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Muktsar and Barnala districts where these constituencies are located. It will remain in force till November 25.

The Assembly byelections are being seen as a battle between the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which aims to maintain its supremacy after winning the Jalandhar West bypoll, and the Congress, which is pushing to reclaim the lost ground.

Political analysts said the AAP high command would strategise the poll campaign keeping in mind that these results could work to their advantage ahead of the forthcoming Delhi Assembly poll.

Congress insiders said though the ruling party generally had advantage in the bypoll, but the grand old party would try its best to retain Gidderbaha, Chabbewal and Dera Baba Nanak seats.

After its win in Haryana, the BJP is also taking the Punjab byelections seriously. The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) would primarily concentrate on the Gidderbaha and Dera Baba Nanak seats.

Political analysts said radicals could also not be ignored. Sarabjeet Khalsa and Amritpal Singh had won the Faridkot and Khadoor Sahib LS seats earlier this year, they said.