JD(U)-BJP petitions CEC against staggered by-polls in Bihar

NEW DELHI: The JD(U)-BJP combine on Friday petitioned the Election Commission against its decision to hold assembly by-polls in the state in phases, arguing that the staggered polls would affect the administration���s battle against drought, and would clash with the festival season looming ahead.

A delegation of leaders of the two parties, headed by JD(U) president Sharad Yadav, met Chief Election Commissioner Navin Chawla here on Friday, urging him to hold simultaneous polls in all the 18 assembly seats where by-elections are to be held.

Of the 18 seats, 15 seats fell vacant because the MLAs representing them were elected to the Lok Sabha in May this year. Another two seats (Bochaha and Chenari) joined the category as their representatives defected to other parties on the eve of the general election, but lost subsequently. And Phulwarisharif too invited another round of election as the sitting MLA, former minister Shyam Razak quit the RJD to embrace JD(U).

Rather than ordering by-polls in all the 18 assembly seats, the poll panel has issued a notification for only seven seats, inviting the JD(U)-BJP combine���s ire.

In their memorandum to the CEC, the delegation leaders referred to the pitfalls of holding staggered polls in the drought-ravaged state. ���Because of the drought, massive and far-reaching relief efforts are required to be taken on an emergency basis. According to estimates, the drought���s impact would be felt more severely after September 15, which may require an acceleration in relief efforts,��� the memorandum pointed out.

The delegation argued that holding the elections in phases would impinge upon the relief work. ���The administration would remain busy with election management and keeping a track on campaigning by various parties and candidates, and, hence, long-term relief work may be affected.������ they contended.

Besides, they added, the festival season would commence from the third week of September. ���With Dussehra, Durga Puja, Diwali and Chhath celebrated in a big way in the state, the prolonged spell of polls would come in the way,������ they maintained.

���We understand that by-elections are to be held within a particular time frame. Therefore, in view of the critical drought situation and other factors, it would only be fitting that elections to all the 18 constituencies are held at one go on September 10 itself,������ the alliance leaders demanded.

Besides Bochaha, Chenari and Phulwarisharif, the other seats where by-polls are to be held include Chainpur, Warisnagar, Kalyanpur, Aurai, Dhoraiya, Nautan, Araria, Ghosi, Bodh Gaya, Begusarai, Munger, Triveniganj, Bagaha, Ramgarh and Simri Bakhtiyarpur.