UP by-poll: Congress fields Hardeepak Nishad from Hamirpur

The Congress on Sunday fielded Hardeepak Nishad as its candidate for the ensuing by-election to the Hamirpur constituency of Uttar Pradesh. The by-poll has been necessitated due to the disqualification of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Ashok Kumar Singh Chandel following his conviction in a murder case.

"Congress president Sonia Gandhi has approved the candidature of Hardeepak Nishad as Congress candidate for the ensuing by-election to the Legislative Assembly of Uttar Pradesh from Hamirpur Constituency," according to a party statement said. The Samajwadi Party on Saturday declared Manoj Kumar Prajapati as its candidate for the by-election to the seat.

The SP and the BSP, who were allies in the Lok Sabha elections, will contest against each other in the assembly by-polls. The BSP has declared Naushad Ali as its candidate from the Hamirpur seat.

Voting for the Hamirpur Assembly by-poll will be held on September 23, while counting of votes will take place on September 27. September 4 is the last date for filing nominations and they will be scrutinized on September 5. The last date for withdrawal of nominations is September 7.