Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna, Congress candidate, defeated his close rival Prakash Pant, BJP candidate, by huge margin of 39954 votes in Sitarganj By-poll. Out of total 69695 votes, Mr. Bahuguna polled 53766, while Pant polled 13812. This is the highest victory margin by which any candidate has defeated the close rival in any Assembly Election taken place after formation of Uttarakhand.
Before this, Madan Kaushik had won the election from Haridwar constituency by margin of 28640 in 2007 general assembly election. Dr. Indira Hridayesh had registered victory with the margin of 23583 from Haldwani in general Assembly Election 2012, ND Tiwari had defeated his rival by 23220 in Ramnagar By-poll in 2002, BC Khanduri had clinched the Dhumakot seat with the margin of 14171 in 2007 by-poll and Surendra Singh Negi had scripted victory with the difference of 10837 votes in Kotdwar general election in 2002. In Sitraganj By-poll Mr. Bahuguna's victory with the margin of 39954 is the biggest victory in Uttarakhand Elections history.
Mr. Bahuguna, expressing his gratitude towards the people of Sitarganj said that it would be his endeavour to rise to the expectation of the people of Sitarganj. He said with the victory his responsibility too had increased and the public had indicated that the development issue was the most important issue. Mr. Bahuguna said that his government's preference was to develop backward and border areas and it was also committed towards the welfare of minorities, SCs, STs, women power and youths.
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