BJP, Congress brace for direct fight in Kedarnath bypoll

The stage is set for a direct fight between the BJP and Congress in the Kedarnath Assembly segment which holds special significance for Hindus, being home one of the twelve jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. Both parties announced candidates for the high profile assembly bypoll on November 20. While the BJP has fielded Asha Nautiyal, Uttarakhand women’s wing chief, the Congress has nominated former MLA Manoj Rawat.

The bypoll has been necessitated due to the demise of BJP lawmaker Shaila Rani Rawat, whose daughter had staked claim to the seat.

Since the 2022 Assembly elections, four bypolls have been held in Uttarakhand, with the BJP and Congress winning two each. On July 10, the Congress had upset the BJP by bagging Badrinath and Manglaur seats. This was soon after the BJP bagged all five LS seats in Uttarakhand.