Kanpur: Putting an end to all speculations, the Bharatiya Janata Party has fielded Suresh Awasthi as its candidate for Sishamau bypoll. Suresh has previously contested elections from Sishamau and Aryanagar seats, but faced defeat.
The bypoll was necessitated after the SP MLA Irfan Solanki was convicted in a criminal case.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath congratulated Suresh on his X handle.The CM posted, "Heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to Suresh Awasthi for being declared the BJP candidate from the Sishamau Assembly constituency for the Uttar Pradesh Assembly by-election 2024! The people of the Sishamau Assembly constituency stand with good governance and nationalism. Your victory is assured with their blessings."
Suresh said that the people of Sishamau have adopted him. "With all their blessings and support, we will emerge victorious at any cost."
The Samajwadi Party has fielded Naseem Solanki, wife of former MLA Irfan Solanki, from this seat.
Suresh lost Sishamau seat to Solanki in 2017 polls and Arayanagar seat to SP's Amitabh Bajpai in 2022.
Meanwhile, on Thursday Bahujan Samaj Party candidate Virendra Kumar and Chand Babu of Azad Samaj Party (Kanshiram) filed their nomination papers.
Virendra Kumar of BSP is the second contestant from a recognized political parties to have filed the papers so far. Earlier, on Wednesday Naseem Solanki of the SP filed her nomination paper. So far, only three contestants have filed their nominations for the by-election.
According to the returning officer, two independent candidates –Vinay Shankar and Saurabh Dixit have procured one set each of nomination paper.
Friday is the last day of nomination and all the contestants are expected to submit their candidature on Oct 25. The voting for Sishamau bypoll is slated to be conducted on Nov 13.