Even before the Lok Sabha elections, Congress has suffered a major setback in Surat seat of Gujarat. Here, without voting, Congress is out of the electoral fray. The nomination papers of Congress candidate Nilesh Kumbhani from Surat Lok Sabha seat were rejected. His three proposers, while submitting an affidavit to the District Election Officer, had said that the signatures on the nomination papers were not theirs.
The nomination papers of Congress’ alternative candidate from Surat, Suresh Padsala, have also been declared illegal, leaving Gujarat’s main opposition party out of the electoral contest in the city.
Returning officer Saurabh Pardhi said in his order that the three nomination papers submitted by Nilesh Kumbhani and Suresh Padsala have been rejected after prima facie discrepancies were found in the signatures of the proposers. He said that these signatures do not look genuine. The order said that the proponents have stated in their affidavits that they have not signed the form.
Confirming this development, Congress lawyer Babu Mangukiya said that the nomination papers of Nilesh Kumbhani and Suresh Padsala have been rejected. Four proposers have said that their signatures are not on the form. He said that now the High Court and the Supreme Court will be approached.
A total of 24 people had filed nomination papers for Surat Lok Sabha seat. After scrutiny of nomination papers today, 12 nomination papers were cancelled. Now there are a total of 9 candidates in the fray. These include Mukesh Kumar Dalal of BJP, Pyare Lal Bharti of Bahujan Samaj Party, Jayeshbhai from Global Republic Party and independent candidates Bharatbhai Prajapati, Ajitsingh Bhupatsingh, Kishorebhai Dhyani, Rameshbhai Paroshtambhai and Abdul Hamid Khan.
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Tags: 2024 Lok Sabha Elections, gujarat news, Loksabha Election 2024, Loksabha Elections, Surat news
FIRST PUBLISHED: April 21, 2024, 15:27 IST