UDAIPUR: It is a checkmate game in the Vallabhnagar constituency as leaders of all parties are trying to put their best foot forward before bypolls.
In the recent election held for appointing members of the standing committees in the Bhinder panchayat samiti of Vallabhnagar Legislative Assembly, the candidates of BJP, Congress and independents united to defeat the candidate of Janta Sena.
The Janta Sena holds a majority in the board but selection of not even a single member from the party is a clear indication of cross-voting.
The dissent with pradhan Harisingh is also believed to be the reason behind the cross-voting by Janata Sena members. During the election, there was a clash between the pradhan and the husband of former pradhan which was settled after police intervention.
There are 19 members in Bhinder panchayat samiti out of which nine seats are occupied by Janata Sena, three by Congress, three by BJP and four by independents. In the election, BJP, Congress and independent panchayat samiti members unitedly fielded their candidates and the members who got 10 votes in each committee won.
During the elections, panchayat samiti pradhan Harish Singh Sonigara and panchayat samiti member Kuber Singh Chavda came face to face. The cross-voting resulted in a fierce debate between the two. Pradhan Sonigara and Kuber Singh both were driven out of the premises. Returning officer Vijender Sharma had to seek police intervention to settle the uproar.
Members of both BJP and Congress have denied the allegations of uniting to fight against Janta Sena.
Pradhan Hari Singh Songara of Janta Sena has alleged that both the parties had united in the past also to corner Janta Sena. The people are watching and the results of bypolls will prove their choice.
