Political Parties Request Rescheduling of Palakkad Bypoll
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Major political parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress, and the Communist Party of India (Marxist), have asked the Election Commission of India to change the date of the by-election in Palakkad. This request is due to the by-election coinciding with the Kalpathy village’s historic annual festival.
On Tuesday, the Election Commission announced bypolls for 48 assembly constituencies, including nine seats in Uttar Pradesh and the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat in Kerala, scheduled for November 13. The results will be declared on November 23. Chief Commissioner Rajiv Kumar made this announcement during a press conference, where he also shared the dates for assembly polls in Maharashtra and Jharkhand.
VD Satheesan, Leader of Opposition in the state assembly, BJP state president K Surendran, and the CPIM state secretariat have all requested the postponement of the bypoll. The Kalpathi Ratholsavam, a local chariot festival, is set to take place from November 13 to 15, 2024, in Kalpathy village, Palakkad.
The bypolls will occur across fifteen states, including Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal. In Rajasthan, bypolls will be held in Chorasi, Khinwsar, Dausa, Jhunjhunu, Deoli-Uniara, Salumber, and Ramgarh. In West Bengal, the bypolls will take place in Taldangra, Sitai, Naihati, Haroa, Medinipur, and Madarihat.
Uttar Pradesh will see the largest number of bypolls, with seats in Meerapur, Kundarki, Ghaziabad, Khair, Karhal, Phulpur, Katehari, Majhawan, and Sishamau. The BJP, having faced a setback in the recent Lok Sabha polls, is eager to regain its momentum in Uttar Pradesh. The bypolls are also significant for opposition parties, with the Samajwadi Party already announcing candidates for six of the ten seats and planning to contest alongside the Congress.
Doubts Revealed
Palakkad Bypoll -: A bypoll, or by-election, is an election held to fill a political office that has become vacant between regularly scheduled elections. Palakkad is a district in the state of Kerala, India.
Kalpathy Festival -: The Kalpathy Festival is an annual cultural and religious festival held in the village of Kalpathy in Kerala. It is known for its traditional music and temple rituals.
Election Commission of India -: The Election Commission of India is a government body responsible for overseeing and conducting elections in India. It ensures that elections are free and fair.
BJP -: BJP stands for Bharatiya Janata Party, which is one of the major political parties in India. It is currently one of the ruling parties in the country.
Congress -: Congress, or the Indian National Congress, is another major political party in India. It has a long history and has been in power several times since India’s independence.
CPI(M) -: CPI(M) stands for the Communist Party of India (Marxist). It is a political party in India known for its leftist ideology.
Chief Commissioner Rajiv Kumar -: Rajiv Kumar is a senior official in the Election Commission of India. As Chief Commissioner, he plays a key role in organizing and managing elections.
Assembly polls -: Assembly polls are elections held to choose representatives for the legislative assemblies of Indian states. These are similar to state elections in other countries.
Uttar Pradesh -: Uttar Pradesh is a state in northern India. It is the most populous state in the country and often plays a significant role in Indian politics.
Momentum -: In politics, momentum refers to the strength or force that allows a party to continue to grow or succeed. The BJP is looking to regain its strength after facing challenges.