Khanduri files nomination for Dhumakot assembly bypoll

Dhumakot, Aug 7 (UNI) Uttarakhand Chief Minister B C Khanduri today filed his nomination papers for the August 29 Dhumakot assembly by-election.

The Chief Minister, who represents the Pauri Garhwal Lok Sabha seat, was accompanied by state BJP chief Bhagat Singh Koshiyari and party leaders Lt Gen (retd) T P S Rawat and Dr Anil Jain.

The Dhumakot seat fell vacant following the resignation of sitting MLA and then Congress member Lt Gen (retd) Rawat who later joined the BJP.

Addressing a rally after filing his nomination, the Chief Minister said that Lt Gen (retd) Rawat had left the Congress as he was not given due respect in the party.

''I am happy that a leader of the stature of Lt Gen Rawat left the party that has a bad image to join the BJP. He will be given due respect in our party,'' he said.

The Chief Minister urged the people to first consider the character of the candidate and his party before voting.

He asked the public to consider their responsibility towards the area and the country and cast their votes for the right candidate.

Lashing out at the previous Congress Government, he said it had failed to fulfill its electoral promises. ''The BJP government will develop the state in accordance with the dreams of the people who had laid down their lives during movement for a separate state.'' Earlier, Lt Gen Rawat, in his address said, ''Though I have left the Congress, I have not abandoned my people.'' He stressed that it was now the responsibility of the people to ensure the Chief Minister's victory. ''I have given you an opportunity for the development of you area, avail it.'' The Congress has fielded former armyman S S Negi, who filed his nomination yesterday, against the Chief Minister.

The 53,804 member-strong electorate in Dhumakot includes 23,693 womeen voters and a sizeable number of ex-soldiers.

UNI