Tehri bypoll likely to be close fight between Cong, BJP

"People will rely on Congress to bring about big time investment and development to the area as the party forms government both in the state and at the Centre," state Congress president Yashpal Arya said.

The BJP, however, is confident of a victory in the bypoll riding on the crest of mass anger against Congress policies of economic reforms badly affecting the common man.

"People will vent out their anger against Congress' decision to hike the prices of diesel and petrol by defeating the party candidate," state BJP chief Bishan Singh Chufal said.

Saket Bahuguna, the Congress nominee and the son of Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna has been fielded against BJP's Raj Lakshmi Shah, the daughter-in-law of the late Maharaja Manvendra Shah who represented the constituency in the Lok Sabha for a record eight times.

The Tehri seat fell vacant after Saket's father and Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna resigned from it following his victory from Sitarganj Assembly constituency.