Lucknow: Dimple Yadav, wife of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday was elected unopposed from the Kannauj Lok Sabha seat with both candidates in the fray against her withdrawing their nominations for the by-election.
Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Sabha on Friday adopted a resolution congratulating Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav for the unique feat achieved by his wife Dimple Yadav whose election in the by-election will be a mere formality now.
Following the withdrawal of names by both the candidates against Dimple Yadav, Minister for Revenue Ambika Chaudhary moved the resolution in the House claiming that under the guidance of the chief minister it is for the first time in parliamentary history that a candidate has been elected to the Lok Sabha unopposed.
The House later adopted the resolution by a voice vote.
On the last day of the withdrawal of names on Friday, Dashrath Singh Shankwar (Samyukt Samajwadi Dal) and Sanju Katiyar (Independent), withdrew their nominations leaving Dimple the only candidate in the electoral fray, Additional Electoral Officer Ramesh Chand Yadav said.
The Congress had opted not to contest the election in Kannauj saying it did not field its candidate even in 2009 elections and the BSP had decided to keep away from the bypoll alleging the ruling party of continuing with its tradition of nepotism by fielding Dimple.
In a volte face, BJP which had decided against contesting the by-election had announced the candidature of Jagdev Yadav shortly before the 3 pm deadline for filing of nominations.
Yadav, who had failed to reach the returning officer's office in time to file the papers and later alleged that he was stopped by SP workers at two places.
35-year-old Dimple filed her nomination papers on Tuesday.
She had suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of Congress' Raj Babbar in the by-polls for the Firozabad Lok Sabha seat in 2009.
