DNA Analysis | Will Kalyan Singh Chouhan’s death thrust another poll on BJP?

Is poll stung ruling BJP set to face another bypoll test just ahead of Rajasthan assembly election? The question arose in political circles after demise of Kalyan Singh Chouhan, BJP MLA from Nathdwara assembly constituency. 

The final call over bypoll just before state assembly election will be taken by the Election Commission of India. According to the rules, no election is necessary in the seat which gets vacated due to the death of a member in less than a year period from the date of general election.

“As per the procedure followed, no election is held when period is less than one year to general election. However, the assembly speaker will issue a notification of the death of the member telling vacancy of the seat which we will forward to the ECI for take a final call,” says Ashwini Bhagat, Rajasthan’s chief electoral officer (CEO). 

The top official said that probably it is first time that a legislative member has passed away with the assembly election around the corner.

“With death of three elected representatives (Ajmer, Alwar and Mandalagarh) the elections were necessitated as they passed away when more than a year was due to the general election. In this case the period is very short. Though, it (short period) could not be defined as nobody knows the date of election. So, the guidance will be sought from the ECI,” added Bhagat. 

If EC nods for a bypoll, then the BJP is set to face another acid test in Nathdwara. 

The major worry for the ruling party is that if bypoll takes place, it will may be just three months before assembly election. And, if election is not held, then it will bring respite for ruling party which would be saved from bypoll test. 
In 2013, the assembly elections were held on December 1 and results were announced on December 8 which saw CM Vasundhra Raje coming into power.