Lakhimpur Kheri (PTI): The BJP's Aman Giri won the Gola Gokarannath Assembly bypoll on Sunday by defeating his nearest rival and Samajwadi Party candidate Vinay Tiwari by over 34,000 votes, a senior official said.

"Giri won by a margin of 34,298 votes. He received 1,24,810 votes and Tiwari got 90,512 votes," the official said.

After his victory, Giri said he will fulfil the dream of his father Arvind Giri, whose death in September necessitated the bypoll, and ensure development of the constituency.

He also thanked Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for promising to develop Gola Gokarannath as 'Chhota Kashi'.

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Kolkata (PTI): A day after the BJP's sweeping victory in the West Bengal assembly polls, state party president Samik Bhattacharya on Tuesday urged the administration to act firmly against perpetrators of post-poll violence irrespective of political affiliation.

Addressing reporters after a meeting of the party's top leadership at its Bidhannagar office, Bhattacharya said strict action must be taken against those indulging in violence and warned that BJP workers found involved in such activities would be expelled from the party.

"Post-poll violence would not be tolerated in any form. If anyone from our party is found involved, we will be compelled to remove them," he said.

The BJP leader also appealed to Chief Secretary Dushyant Nariala to ensure prompt administrative intervention wherever incidents of violence are reported.

"I would like to urge the administration to take necessary action wherever such incidents occur. This is precisely why the people of West Bengal have chosen the BJP," he said.

Bhattacharya thanked the electorate for the party's emphatic mandate and expressed gratitude to migrant workers who returned to the state to cast their votes despite logistical challenges.

According to party sources, a high-level meeting was held at the BJP's Bidhannagar office on Tuesday, attended by central observers and senior state leaders, to discuss measures to prevent violence and maintain law and order in the post-result scenario.

The discussions also focused on ensuring that there is no repeat of the violence reported after the 2021 assembly elections, when the BJP had accused the ruling Trinamool Congress of targeting its workers.

The BJP has secured 207 of the 293 seats where polls were held, securing a two-thirds majority and paving the way for its first government in West Bengal. The Trinamool Congress has won 80 seats.

Bhattacharya also appealed to party workers to maintain restraint and not let the victory celebrations turn disruptive.

"I urge our workers to remain peaceful, stay happy, and fulfil the responsibilities given by the party. Do not hurt anyone in the name of celebration, and do not hurt anyone's sentiments," he said.