New Delhi, July 13 -- Political activity intensified ahead of the upcoming Assembly by-elections and Rajya Sabha bypolls on Monday as candidates from various parties filed their nomination papers, while leaders stepped up campaigning and exchanged sharp political allegations across states.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the schedule for by-elections for the Assembly constituencies of Bankipur in Bihar, Datia in Madhya Pradesh and Manjalpur in Gujarat.

Polling will be held on July 30, with the last date for filing nominations on July 13, scrutiny on July 14, withdrawal of candidatures by July 16, and counting of votes on August 3.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate for the Datia by-election, Ashutosh Tiwari, fi...