SP picks Dharmendra, Asim Raza for Azamgarh, Rampur by-poll

Lucknow: Dharmendra Yadav, cousin of Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav, on Monday filed nomination for Azamgarh seat, whereas another party candidate Mohammad Asim Raza filed his paper for Rampur seat on the last day of the nomination for by-poll to two Lok Sabha seats.
As per the list of candidates released by the Chief Electoral Officer, the names of Dharmendra and Asim Raza have been included as SP candidates from Azamgarh and Rampur seats respectively.
It may be noted that the by-poll has been necessitated due to resignations by SP chief and MLA from Azamgarh, Akhilesh and former MP and MLA from Rampur Sadar seat Mohammad Azam Khan. Akhilesh and Azam resigned from the Lok Sabha after getting elected as the members of the UP Legislative Assembly. While polling will be held on June 23, counting of votes will be done on June 26.
As per the list of candidates released by the Election Commission eight candidates each filed for two seats.
While Bhojpuri film star Dinesh Lal Yadav ‘Nirhua’ while challenging Dharmendra on Azamgarh seat as Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate, SP’s Asim Raza, who is considered close to Azam Khan, will face challenge from Ghanshyam Lodhi of BJP on Rampur seat.
On Azamgarh seat, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has made the contest triangular by fielding former MLA Shah Alam alias Guddu Jamali. Besides, one Ramakant Yadav, who is namesake of SP leader, has field nomination as an independent candidate.
As per the commission, while 15 people are in fray for Azamgarh seat, 9 candidates have staked their claim in Rampur. As per the schedule, scrutiny of the nomination papers will be done on Tuesday. June 9 is the last date of withdrawal. (UNI)