Bypolls to Kerala's Palakkad and 13 other Assembly Constituencies across Uttar Pradesh and Punjab have been rescheduled due to festivities.
Published Nov 04, 2024 | 3:59 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 04, 2024 | 3:59 PM
A voter displaying her ID while waiting in queue to vote. (Representative image)
On Monday, 4 November, the Election Commission of India (ECI) postponed the bypolls to Palakkad Assembly Constituency. Earlier scheduled to take place on 13 November, it has now been pushed to 20 November.
It has been postponed because Palakkad celebrates Kalpathi Ratholsavam, also known as the Chariot Festival on 13 November.
Earlier, political parties including BJP, Congress, and CPI(M) had approached the ECI, highlighting the importance of Kalpathi Ratholsavam in Palakkad. It is one of Kerala’s stunning festivals, celebrated for several generations.
Bypolls to Palakkad Assembly constituency on the initially scheduled date would have been a logistical nightmare with several bottlenecks, likely resulting in less voter turnout.
#Kerala: The Election Commission of India postponed the date of polls at #Palakkad Assembly Constituency.
The date has been shifted from November 13 to November 20.The @ECISVEEP said that it received representations from various recognised National and State political parties… pic.twitter.com/OVkpuzy6G1
— South First (@TheSouthfirst) November 4, 2024
However, bypolls to Chelakkara Assembly Constituency and Wayanad Lok Sabha Constituency will take place on 13 November, as scheduled.
The ECI also announced that by-polls to 13 other Assembly constituencies across Punjab and Uttar Pradesh have also been rescheduled for similar reasons.
In Palakkad bypolls, Indian Youth Congress State President Rahul Mamkootathil is facing former state Congress social media head Dr P Sarin, who is contesting as an independent candidate endorsed by the CPI(M).
Congress leader and former Lok Sabha MP Ramya Haridas will face CPI’s UR Pradeep — who had represented the segment in the past — in the Chelakkara Assembly constituency. Independent MLA PV Anvar, who had floated a “social movement” DMK in Kerala, has assigned NK Sudheer to contest in Chelakkara.
Represented by the Congress since 2011, the Constituency includes Palakkad municipality and key grama panchayats — Kannadi, Pirayiri, and Mathur.
This region has a robust RSS presence, and the BJP candidate finished second in the last two Assembly elections. In 2016, the BJP fielded firebrand leader Sobha Surendran, and in 2021, it pinned its hopes on E Sreedharan, the celebrated ‘Metroman.’
While the Congress held firm both times, the BJP’s rising vote share signals that the saffron party may finally be closing in on a win. Adding to its confidence is its recent victory in the Thrissur Lok Sabha constituency. The BJP faces a hurdle, though, infighting.
On 15 October, the commission had the ECI announced that bypolls to 48 Assembly Constituencies and two Parliamentary Constituencies across 15 States will take place on three days – 13 November, 23 November and 25 November.
(Edited by Neena with inputs from Dileep V Kumar)
