Munni Devi declared BJP candidate for Tharali Assembly bypoll

BJP today announced Munni Devi, widow of ex-MLA Magan Lal Shah, as its candidate for the bypoll to the Tharali Assembly seat in Uttarakhand.

The bypoll is scheduled to be held on May 28.

Munni Devi's candidature was announced by the party's central election comittee today, a statement released here said.

The bypoll to the reserved (SC) seat in Chamoli district became necessary after the sudden death of sitting MLA Magan Lal Shah in February this year.

However, the party's decision to field his widow from the seat is bound to dash the hopes of keen aspirant Guddu Lal, who had recently joined the BJP.

He had reportedly even threatened to enterthe fray as an independent if denied a ticket.

Guddu Lal had contested from Tharali seat unsuccessfully as an independent in the last assembly elections securing over 8,000 votes.