{
  "id": 5398113,
  "title": "BJP Candidate Race Intensifies Ahead Of By-Poll In Kukshi",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/bjp-candidate-race-intensifies-ahead-of-by-poll-in-kukshi",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-03T19:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/indore/bjp-candidate-race-intensifies-ahead-of-by-poll-in-kukshi"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Kukshi, Madhya Pradesh: The political landscape in Kukshi is heating up prior to the upcoming by-election for the position of municipal council president. The election is set to take place on September 29, with nominations due by September 15. On September 16, there will be a scrutiny process, followed by the withdrawal of nominations and the allocation of election symbols on September 18. The final vote tally will be announced on October 3. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has not yet officially nominated a candidate. However, Ranjana Baghel, a former minister and former MLA, and Monika Virendra Singh Baghel are being actively discussed in local political circles. Ranjana Baghel boasts a strong political pedigree in Kukshi, having been elected to the Legislative Assembly in 1990 and subsequently winning the Assembly elections in 2003, 2008, and 2013, serving four terms. She has also held key portfolios such as women and child development and social justice. Monika Virendra Singh Baghel's name has also garnered attention due to her husband Virendra Singh Baghel's political activities. He had contested the Kukshi Assembly seat in 2018 as a BJP candidate and has held positions in the party's state-level organization and local politics. The BJP's potential selection between an experienced candidate like Ranjana Baghel and a relatively new contender like Monika Baghel is generating speculation. However, no official decision has been made yet. With the nomination deadline rapidly approaching, the final choice of the BJP is anticipated to significantly influence the dynamics of the Kukshi municipal election contest.",
  "summary": "Kukshi (Madhya Pradesh): Political activity has intensified in Kukshi ahead of the by-election for the municipal council president post in the town. Voting for the presidential post is scheduled for Sept 29, while Sept 15 is the last date for filing nominations. Scrutiny will be held on Sept 16, followed by withdrawal of nominations and allotment of election symbols on Sept 18. The results will…",
  "key_points": [
    "Kukshi by-election for municipal council president on September 29",
    "BJP has not nominated candidate yet, Ranjana Baghel and Monika Virendra Singh Baghel in contention",
    "Ranjana Baghel has four Assembly term victories and key portfolios"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}