Congress names Nirmala Gahtori against Uttrakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami for Champawat by-election

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami is contesting the by-election to the Champawat Assembly constituency from BJP.

TN National Desk

Updated May 6, 2022, 13:45 IST

Congress candidate Nirmala Gahtori is set to face Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami at by-election to Champawat Assembly constituency (File Photo)

Champawat: Congress on Friday confirmed Nirmala Gahtori's candidature for the by-election to the Champawat Assembly constituency. Notably, Gahtori is the first woman to be given the ticket by Congress from this particular constituency. Gahtori is set to face Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami directly in this election.

Before Gahtori, only two women have fought the Champawat Assembly constituency and both were from BJP. Bina Maharana fought and won the election from BJP in 2007 and was later made the Minister of Women Empowerment and Child Development in the Bhuvan Chandra Khanduri cabinet. In 2012, then party district president Hema Joshi fought for the said seat from BJP but lost.

Previously, Hemant Kharkwal fought the election from Congress held in February. Kharkwal had been the party's face in the four Assembly elections previously held. In all elections held from 2002 to 2022, Congress won the seat in 2002 and 2012 and lost thrice.

On the other hand, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami is contesting the by-election to the Champawat Assembly constituency from BJP. In a press note issued on Thursday, the BJP stated that the Central Election Committee (CEC) of the party approved Pushkar Singh Dhami for the Assembly by-elections in Uttarakhand. The election is scheduled for May 31 and the counting of votes will take place on June 3.

The Uttrakhand CM lost his Khatima seat to Congress candidate Bhuwan Chandra Kapri in the recent Assembly elections in the state. Despite the defeat, Dhami was made the chief minister of the state. As per law, to hold the chief minister's office, a candidate needs to be elected as an MLA or be given the legislative council route.

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