Sampathiya Uike elected unopposed to Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh

BHOPAL: Sampathiya Uike, BJP’s tribal leader from Mandla was elected unopposed to Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh on Monday.
By-poll for the coveted seat fell vacant after the demise of former union minister Anil Madhav Dave in May this year. Uike was nominated by the party for the post from among 12 probables, including former union minister Vikram Verma and MP Housing Board chairman Krishna Murari Moghe

“Only one nomination was found valid during the scrutiny of nomination papers. Today, was the last date of withdrawing nomination for the seat and Uike was the only contestant left in the fray. Hence, the election commission declared Sampatiya Uike elected for the Rajya Sabha by-poll,” principal secretary of the Assembly and assistant returning officer Awadhesh Pratap Singh told TOI.
Officials said Uike could not turn up to collect the certificate. The election commission handed over the certificate to the Uike’s authorised representative Shantilal Lodha and revenue minister Umashankar Gupta was also present during the occasion.
Express gratitude over her victory, Uike said she was thankful to the party for supporting and assigning her such a significant responsibility. She said she was touring tribal districts of Mandla, Dindori and Umaria to campaign for the party in the ensuing civic polls because of which she could not turn up to collect the certificate.
“I am happy for the victory. I am touring tribal districts so that I could help party candidates win elections,” Uike told TOI over phone from Mandla.