Bahujan Samaj Party's (BSP) Betul Lok Sabha seat candidate Ashok Bhalawi died of a heart attack, he reported chest pain on Tuesday afternoon and was brought to the hospital, where the doctor declared him dead.
Bahujan Samaj Party had made Ashok Bhalawi the candidate from Betul Lok Sabha constituency. Last time Ashok had contested elections on a BSP ticket. Ashok Bhalavi, who lived near Sohagpur village, was a vegetable trader by profession. He had also been a member of Betul district. Ashok Bhalavi has four sons. His last rites will be held on Wednesday in his home village Sohagpur.
Betul Collector Narendra Suryavanshi says that the report regarding the death of BSP candidate Ashok Bhalawi has been sent to the Election Commission. Currently, under Section 52 of the Representation of the People Act 1951, the voting process to be held on April 26, 2024 has been postponed. Further action will be taken on the instructions of the Election Commission.
According to Section 52 (2) of the Act, if a candidate fielded by a recognized state or national party dies before voting, the Returning Officer adjourns the voting on that seat and announces a new date.
There are eight assembly seats in Betul Lok Sabha. The first election for the Betul seat was held in 1951. Congress had won in the first election. Congress also won Betul seat in 1967 and 1971 elections. In the 1977 elections, Bharatiya Lok Dal won the Betul seat. In 1980, Congress made a comeback and won this seat again. Congress also won in 1984. BJP won for the first time in 1989. Arif Beg gave BJP its first victory here by defeating Aslam Sherkhan of Congress.
