New Delhi: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) candidate Ashok Bhalavi, contesting from Betul in Madhya Pradesh, succumbed to a heart attack on Tuesday.
Bhalavi was rushed to a hospital after he complained of chest pain, however, doctors declared him brought dead, his party confirmed.
The electoral process in Madhya Pradesh's Betul Lok Sabha constituency cancelled, following the demise of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) candidate, Ashok Bhalavi, on Tuesday evening, an official said. The polling in the constituency, scheduled for April 26, was consequently postponed, district collector and returning officer Narendra Singh Raghuvanshi told PTI.
The electoral process in Betul was halted, by the provisions of the Representation of the People Act. District collector and returning officer Narendra Singh Raghuvanshi said that further actions will be taken as per directives from the Election Commission of India.
Notably, Congress has fielded Ramu Tekam from Betul Lok Sabha seat. At the same time, BJP has once again given a chance to Durgadas Uike, while Ashok Bhalavi was the candidate from BSP.
Report Sent To EC
Betul was slated to vote in the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections on April 26, along with Tikamgarh, Damoh, Khajuraho, Satna, Rewa, and Hoshangabad seats. The nomination process for Betul began on March 28, with April 4 marking the deadline for filing nominations. Following the withdrawal deadline on April 8, the seat saw a total of 8 candidates in the fray.
Betul Collector Narendra Suryawanshi has sent a report regarding the death of BSP candidate Ashok Bhalavi to the Election Commission.