Khanduri sweeps Dhumakot by-poll

DEHRA DUN: The Uttarakhand Chief Minister, Bhuwan Chandra Khanduri registered a thumping victory in the Dhumakot Assembly by-election by bagging 22,702 votes and defeating his nearest rival Surendra Singh Negi of the Congress by 14,171 votes on Sunday. The third aspirant, Manish Sundriyal contesting as an independent lost his deposit.

The elections were necessitated by the resignation of the former Congress Minister and MLA, T.P.S. Rawat who along with Mr Khanduri went around the region seeking vote in the name of development.

Mr Khanduri visited Dhumakot in Pauri Garhwal district and collected his membership certificate from the Returning Officer.

Visibly overwhelmed by the victory, Mr Khanduri said that it was recognition of the good initiatives of his Government and also a challenge to perform as real developer of Uttarakhand.

“My principles are clear and transparent. We have to collectively and with dedication work for the all round development of the people and this can be achieved only by further improving the infrastructure for education, health, agriculture, tourism, connectivity through roads and air. Along with this the industries have to grow and I welcome investors to the State with open arms— and those venturing into the remote hills with need based units will be accorded greater facilities”, the Chief Minister told The Hindu.

The party will continue with the coalition partners—Uttarakhand Kranti Dal and Independents despite attaining a clear majority with 36 members in a House of 70, Mr Khanduri said.

It was all joy and rejoicing at the party headquarters here with leaders and workers dancing and distributing sweets to celebrate the victory.

The Congress general secretary, Dhirendra Pratap hoped the Chief Minister would now introduce some real time development in Dhumakot and other highly backward regions of the State.