Congress Fields Aakash Sharma for Raipur South By-Election, Set to Face BJP’s Sunil Soni

Raipur
The Congress party has announced Aakash Sharma, president of the Youth Congress, as its candidate for the Raipur South by-election. Sharma will go head-to-head with BJP’s Sunil Soni in a key electoral battle. Voting for the Raipur South Assembly constituency will take place on November 13, with counting scheduled for November 23.

The by-election was necessitated after BJP MLA Brijmohan Agarwal was elected as a Member of Parliament, leaving the Raipur South seat vacant. Aakash Sharma, who had sought a ticket for the 2023 Assembly elections, was passed over in favor of Mahant Ramsundar Das at that time.

A Wave of Social Media Support for Aakash Sharma

As soon as Aakash Sharma’s candidacy was confirmed, his supporters took to social media in large numbers to congratulate him. Many had already begun posting well-wishes even before the official announcement. Throughout Monday, his house was filled with supporters eagerly awaiting the news.

Congress Leader Pramod Dubey Also Showed Interest

Before the Congress finalized its candidate, senior leader and former mayor Pramod Dubey had purchased a nomination form on Saturday. Dubey, who is currently the Chairman of the Municipal Corporation, had expressed his readiness to file a nomination if chosen. However, the party ultimately chose Aakash Sharma.

A Close Contest in the 2018 Assembly Election

The Raipur South seat has seen tough battles in the past, with Congress candidates losing by significant margins in all four elections since the constituency was formed. The 2018 Assembly election was the closest contest, where Congress’s Kanhaiya Agarwal lost to Brijmohan Agarwal by a margin of 17,496 votes.

Despite facing anti-incumbency, Brijmohan Agarwal managed to retain the Raipur South seat in 2018. In the 2023 election, he defeated Congress’s Dr. Mahant Ramsundar Das by over 67,000 votes, marking his largest victory margin in recent years.

The upcoming by-election is expected to be a significant test for both the BJP and Congress, with both parties keen to secure this vital seat.