Kanpur LC bypoll: 2.32 lakh voters to decide fate of 13 candidates

KANPUR: Around 2.32 lakh electorate will decide the fate of 13 candidates in fray for the legislative council by-election to Kanpur division graduates' constituency which will go to polls on January 19.

"Elaborate arrangements are underway for the polls. Out of the 252 polling centres, 181 are in Kanpur, 18 in Kanpur Dehat and the remaining in Unnao district," Kanpur divisional commissioner Mohammad Iftikharuddin said.

There are around 1.77 lakh graduate voters in Kanpur, around 16,000 voters in Kanpur Dehat and 39,000 voters in Unnao, he said, adding that video recording of each polling centre will be done.

The constituency has been the bastion of the Swaroop family for nearly six decades. For the last 34 years, Jagendra Swaroop had been the MLC from the constituency and previously, his father Virendra had retained the seat for nearly 24 years.

The by-poll was necessitated following Jagendra's death. Jagendra's eldest son Manvendra Swaroop, who has support from Congress, is in the fray. The main contest is between him and Bramhanand College's principal Vivek Dwivedi and Arun Pathak, supported by BJP.