17 Councillor Candidates Risk Rejection Over Late Symbol Submissions
Congress infighting spills onto the streets; in the municipal election, symbol letters of about 17 candidates out of 70 could not be submitted to the RO
Congress infighting spills onto the streets; in the municipal election, symbol letters of about 17 candidates out of 70 could not be submitted to the RO
Congress infighting spills onto the streets; in the municipal election, symbol letters of about 17 candidates out of 70 could not be submitted to the RO
Congress infighting spills onto the streets; in the municipal election, symbol letters of about 17 candidates out of 70 could not be submitted to the RO
Congress infighting spills onto the streets; in the municipal election, symbol letters of about 17 candidates out of 70 could not be submitted to the RO
Congress infighting spills onto the streets; in the municipal election, symbol letters of about 17 candidates out of 70 could not be submitted to the RO
Bhilwara: The ongoing dispute between rival factions within Congress’s Bhilwara unit has cast a shadow over the civic election nominations in the district, as dramatic events unfolded on the final day for submission of nominations Monday. The Congress in the district is now in a potential crisis as nearly 17 councillor candidates’ symbol letters were allegedly not submitted to the election returning officer by the 3pm deadline, leading to their nominations being at risk of rejection. The delay in symbol allotment was being attributed to the ugly fight between former minister Ramlal Jat and former MLA Dheeraj Gurjar that unfolded at the party headquarters in Jaipur Saturday.Despite the pressures, Congress seniors made a last-ditch appeal to the district election officer, hoping for leniency. The nominations were crucial, given the competitive atmosphere with major political parties BJP and Congress vying for control in 10 municipal bodies across the district. At the Bhilwara Collectorate, candidates, accompanied by enthusiastic supporters and traditional music, formed long queues starting at 10:30am Monday, eager to submit their papers. However, a sudden controversy ensued at 3pm when Returning Officer Pratibha Devthiya refused to accept the symbol list submitted by the Congress in charge, citing late submission. Congress City President Shivram Khatik contested the RO’s decision, claiming he arrived at 2:30pm, will within the deadline, but was hindered by issues in finalising some symbols. Tensions escalated as both Congress and BJP supporters congregated outside the returning officer’s office, leading to chants from both sides and a heightened standoff. Khatik accused the administration of collusion with BJP, alleging that the returning officer initially encouraged them to finalise their list in an adjacent room, only to then reject it when they returned. He said that Congress would await the Congress state unit’s directive on how to proceed further.
