BSP, SP not to field candidates against Khanduri in Dhumakot

Hardwar, Aug 7 (UNI) The BSP and the SP will not contest the bypoll to Dumakot assembly constituency in Uttarakhand, from where Chief Minister Maj Gen (retd) B C Khanduri is seeking election.

Uttar Pradesh transport minister and BSP's state incharge of Uttarakhand Achal Rajbhar told reporters here yesterday that his party would not field candidates for the bypoll.

''We are not going to support either the Congress or the BJP,'' he added.

Former city legislator of the Samajwadi Party Ambrish Kumar told UNI today that his party will neither contest the Dhumakot bypoll nor support any other party.

He said the decision was taken to prevent division of secular votes.

In the bypoll, the Congress has pitted S S Negi against the Chief Minister.

Former BJP MP from Hardwar Harpal Sathi, who had been expelled from the party and former chairman of Roorkee Municipal Board Rajesh Garg, who was suspended from the Congress, joined the BSP in the presence of Mr Rajbhar and party leader Suraj Mal.

UNI