BJP firm on countermanding of Mainpuri by-polls

LUCKNOW: Reacting to the Election Commission''s decision to suspend counting in Mainpuri, which went to by-polls on October 13, the BJP continued to stick to its demand for countermanding by-polls in the Lok Sabha constituency, once held by UP chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav.
State president of BJP Keshari Nath Tripathi said though the commission''s decision has vindicated their stand but they were not satisfied with the move."We demand countermanding of by-polls in Mainpuri and holding fresh elections under the supervision of special observers from outside the state and para-military forces," demanded Tripathi, alleging that Madhepura was repeated in Mainpuri by the ''other Yadav''.
BJP demanded scalps of the Mainpuri DM/SSP and other district and police officials who had helped Samajwadi Party candidate Dharmendra Yadav on the polling day on October 13. Dharmendra is nephew of chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav, who had vacated the Mainpuri Lok Sabha seat after chosing to stay back in the state.
"The commission''s decision to suspend counting and send a team to Mainpuri on Saturday confirm that the ruling coalition was allowed to indulge in rigging and violence to win polls hands down. The DM and SSP must be suspended for this," demanded Tripathi.
Out of 58 booths which went to repolling on Friday, nearly half (27) were from Mainpuri Lok Sabha constituency. Senior party leaders are likely to reach Mainpuri on Saturday to meet the visiting commission''s team. "We would press for an audience to get the commission team first hand information with evidences of poll irregularities by the ruling coalition," said party media-incharge Narendra Rana.
Meanwhile, the BJP has convened a meeting of its office-bearers on October 19 to discuss the prevailing political situation and strategy to strengthen the organisation.