Lakhpat Singh Butola of the Indian National Congress has won the Badrinath Assembly bypoll. The election, held on July 10, 2024, saw Butola beating his main rival, Rajendra Singh Bhandari of the Bharatiya Janata Party , by a big margin.
The Badrinath Assembly seat in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand became vacant after the resignation of the previous MLA, Rajendra Singh Bhandari. Bhandari switched from Congress to BJP earlier this year, making this bypoll a key fight for political control.
The voting for the Badrinath assembly bypoll took place on July 10, 2024. Despite the excitement, voter turnout was 49.80%, lower than expected. The vote count started early on July 13, 2024. As the counting progressed, it was clear that Lakhpat Singh Butola was leading. By the end, Butola had 27,696 votes, while Bhandari received 22,601 votes. Butola won with a margin of 5,095 votes.
Lakhpat Singh Butola vs Rajendra Singh Bhandari
Lakhpat Singh Butola, a newcomer to politics, was chosen by Congress. His campaign focused on local problems, promising better development, infrastructure, and living conditions for the residents. Butola assured more government projects for the area to help uplift the community.
Rajendra Singh Bhandari, a veteran in politics and the BJP candidate, relied on his experience and past work during his tenure. He highlighted BJP government initiatives at both the state and central levels, hoping to gain support from the party’s popularity.
Celebrations and Reactions
Butola’s victory led to celebrations among Congress supporters across Dehradun and Uttarakhand. Party members and supporters gathered to cheer for their new representative. Butola thanked the voters, promising to keep his campaign promises.
In his victory speech, Butola said, “This was an election of pride for the people of Badrinath, and they have shown all governments that if they try to sell their representatives, they will face the wrath of the people.”
Badrinath: Congress candidate Lakhpat Singh Butola expresses his joy after winning the Assembly seat, say, "This was an election of pride for the people of Badrinath, and they have shown all governments that if they try to sell their representatives, they will face the wrath of… pic.twitter.com/Sx3NJOK2xx
— IANS (@ians_india) July 13, 2024
Political Implications
Political analysts believe that local issues played a crucial role in the Badrinath by-election. The voters were looking for a candidate who could address their specific needs and concerns. Lakhpat Singh Butola’s focus on local development resonated with the electorate.
Experts also point out that the BJP’s strategy of fielding a candidate who had recently switched parties may have backfired. The voters might have seen it as an opportunistic move rather than a genuine effort to serve the constituency.
Butola’s win in the Badrinath bypoll has big political implications. It’s a boost for the Congress party in Uttarakhand, which has been trying to regain its strength in the state. The win shows the voters’ desire for change and belief in Butola’s promises.
For the BJP, the loss is a setback, especially after Bhandari’s switch from Congress. The defeat in Badrinath has come as a shock as the party was already reeling from the loss in Ayodhya.
Conclusion
The Badrinath Assembly bypoll ended with Lakhpat Singh Butola’s victory, marking an important moment in Uttarakhand’s political scene. As Butola steps into his new role, the people of Badrinath will be watching closely to see how he fulfills his promises and drives the region’s development.
This bypoll not only chose the new MLA for Badrinath but also set the tone for future political contests in Uttarakhand. The coming months will be critical for both Congress and BJP as they prepare for upcoming elections and work to win the voters’ trust.
