BJP Picks Dara Singh Chauhan for UP Legislative Council By-Election
Former SP MLA who rejoined BJP nominated as candidate
In a significant political move, the BJP has announced former Ghosi MLA Dara Singh Chauhan as its candidate for the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council by-election.
Chauhan, who had quit the BJP to join the Samajwadi Party before the 2022 polls, returned to the BJP fold earlier this year. The BJP has picked him as its nominee for the vacant UP Legislative Council seat, putting an end to much speculation.
According to a letter from the BJP’s national general secretary, the party’s Central Election Committee has approved Chauhan’s candidature for the bypoll.
The last date for filing nominations is January 18th. Chauhan’s nomination indicates the party’s confidence in him delivering a victory. It also opens up possibilities of him being inducted as minister if he wins, as part of the Yogi cabinet expansion.
Dara Singh Chauhan was a minister in the first Yogi Adityanath government. He resigned in 2021 to join SP and won the Ghosi assembly seat. However, he rejoined BJP in 2022 after quitting as MLA.
He was fielded in the Ghosi bypoll but lost badly despite the BJP’s efforts. The party will now hope Chauhan can rehabilitate his political fortunes by winning the Legislative Council seat.
The bypoll result will be an indicator of the shifting political sands in Uttar Pradesh before the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The BJP has placed its trust in Chauhan amidst the power tussle with a resurgent SP.
