<p>Ranchi: The BJP on Friday announced Dilip Kumar Verma as its candidate for the by-election in the Gandey assembly constituency in Jharkhand.</p><p>BJP spokesperson Pratul Shahdeo said the party’s Central Election Committee has approved Verma's candidature for the bypoll, which will be held on May 20 along with <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/lok-sabha-elections">Lok Sabha elections</a>.</p><p>"Verma is a social worker, and is at present, holding the post of secretary in the party. He will contest elections for the first time," Shahdeo said.</p>.Lok Sabha polls 2024: BJP to face tough fight in Jharkhand this time.<p>The Gandey seat in Giridih district fell vacant after the resignation of JMM MLA Sarfaraz Ahmad who was elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha on March 14.</p><p>Speculations are rife that the JMM may field its arrested leader Hemant Soren's wife Kalpana Soren for the bypoll.</p><p>The ruling alliance, led by JMM, has 47 MLAs in the 81-member assembly. The BJP has 26 MLAs and the AJSU Party has three. Additionally, the NCP and CPI (ML) have one lawmaker each, alongside two Independents and a nominated member.</p><p>Within the ruling alliance, the JMM has 29 MLAs, the Congress has 17, and the RJD has one legislator. </p>
<p>Ranchi: The BJP on Friday announced Dilip Kumar Verma as its candidate for the by-election in the Gandey assembly constituency in Jharkhand.</p><p>BJP spokesperson Pratul Shahdeo said the party’s Central Election Committee has approved Verma's candidature for the bypoll, which will be held on May 20 along with <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/lok-sabha-elections">Lok Sabha elections</a>.</p><p>"Verma is a social worker, and is at present, holding the post of secretary in the party. He will contest elections for the first time," Shahdeo said.</p>.Lok Sabha polls 2024: BJP to face tough fight in Jharkhand this time.<p>The Gandey seat in Giridih district fell vacant after the resignation of JMM MLA Sarfaraz Ahmad who was elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha on March 14.</p><p>Speculations are rife that the JMM may field its arrested leader Hemant Soren's wife Kalpana Soren for the bypoll.</p><p>The ruling alliance, led by JMM, has 47 MLAs in the 81-member assembly. The BJP has 26 MLAs and the AJSU Party has three. Additionally, the NCP and CPI (ML) have one lawmaker each, alongside two Independents and a nominated member.</p><p>Within the ruling alliance, the JMM has 29 MLAs, the Congress has 17, and the RJD has one legislator. </p>