Cong moves HC over rejection of candidature

Congress candidate for the Visavadar constituency Ratilal Mangroloya on Tuesday moved the Gujarat High Court challenging the cancellation of his candidature for the seat by the Election Commission.

The petition filed through the Legal Cell of Congress is expected to come up for hearing before a division bench on Thursday.

EC cancelled Mangroliya's nomination on Monday after he failed to provide the party's 'mandate' in time. He had submitted the same after the deadline of 3 pm got over on Saturday, which was the last day for filing nomination paper for the first phase election to be held on December 13.

Acting president of Congress's Legal Cell V H Kanara said Mangroliya could not submit the party's mandate because some unknown person had snatched away the mandate form while he was going to submit it. And that he has also lodged a robbery complaint in this regard. "Mangroliya could not submit the mandate because there was a law and order problem," he said.

According to Kanara, they have sought a direction to the EC to consider Mangroliya's candidature and to let him contest the election. "In alternate, we have sought direction to suspend the election for the constituency as the issue of law and order has erupted there," he added.

Cancellation of Mangroliya's candidature means that the Visavadar seat is going to witness straight contest between BJP candidate Kanubhai Bhalala and Gujarat Parivartan Party chief Keshubhai Patel.

ALSO READ

Astronomy buffs geared up for meteor shower

Narendra Modi dials Lalu, enquires about health after car accident

From Ramdev stage in Haridwar, Modi swears by gurus of all hues

PIL puts Tata Motors, state govt in the dock over Nano deal