Dehradun, 23 November (HS). Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Asha Nautiyal performed brilliantly and won the Kedarnath Assembly by-election by securing 23,814 votes. Her nearest rival Congress candidate Manoj Rawat got 18,192 votes, leaving Asha Nautiyal victorious by a margin of 5,622 votes.
Ashutosh Bhandari of Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD) got 1,314 votes, while Pradeep Roshan of PPI (D) got 483 votes. Among independent candidates, Tribhuvan Singh obtained 9311 votes and RP Singh obtained 493 votes. In this election 834 voters chose NOTA (None of the Above) option.
The spectacular victory of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the by-election held on the prestigious Kedarnath assembly seat in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand is being considered as a big victory for the party’s developmental policies and public trust in the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.
This by-election is not limited to just one assembly constituency, but it is sure to have an impact on the politics of the state and the upcoming elections. This victory of Kedarnath seat is an important psychological advantage for the BJP, especially when the civic elections are going to be held in the state soon and the foundation for the 2027 assembly elections is already being prepared.
Main reasons for victory
Local development schemes: The BJP presented the Kedarnath reconstruction project and the work done to facilitate the Chardham Yatra as its major achievements.
Impact of government schemes: Central and state government schemes, such as Ujjwala Yojana, Ayushman Bharat, and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, were successful in creating a favorable environment for the BJP in rural and hilly areas.
Strong election strategy: BJP ran an org.zed campaign at the booth level. Coordination with Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and the central leadership strengthened the election strategy.
Polarization Issues: BJP kept its core vote bank strong and succeeded in exposing the weaknesses of Congress.
Big blow for Congress
This defeat is a matter of introspection for Congress. Congress tried to emphasize local issues, but its strategy failed to impress voters.
Atmosphere of enthusiasm among BJP workers
As soon as the election results are announced, there is an atmosphere of celebration among BJP workers and supporters. Sweets were distributed across the state and victory processions were taken out from Kedarnath to Dehradun. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that this victory is the result of the blessings of the public and the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. BJP will continue to move forward on the path of development.
Victory fills BJP with confidence
This victory has filled the BJP with confidence for the upcoming civic elections and 2027 assembly elections. The results of the by-elections will give BJP a chance to gain lead in urban and rural areas.
Political analysts believe that this victory of Kedarnath is a big success for BJP not only at the state level but also at the national level. It has become clear that BJP’s developmental policies and effective leadership are influencing the people of the state.
