As the state readies itself for Lok Sabha and bye polls scheduled for May 7, Congress was hit by a setback today in one of the stronghold seats of BJP, Surat.

Nilesh Kumbhani, a Congress candidate from Surat Lok Sabha seat, has been invalidated by the election officer, as Ramesh Palara, Jagdish Savaliya, and Dhruvin Dhameliya, three of his proposers, claimed they had not signed the form of Kumbhani. 

In his statement, Kumbhani reportedly accused the BJP of abducting his party supporters.

“My supporters, including Ramesh Palara, Jagdish Savaliya, and Dhruvin Dhameliya, have been kidnapped by the BJP. Supporters’ phones have been switched off, and they are out of reach. I also came to know about this through the media that it is alleged that the signatures of the supporters were false in my form,” said Kumbhani.

The official confirmation of Kumbhani’s invalidation is yet to be announced.

Amid the form cancellation speculations, Congress and AAP (Aam Aadmi Party) leaders have reached the collector’s office in Surat.

The final decision by the collector has been scheduled on Apr 21, according to media reports.

What qualifies for cancellation of nomination?

As per the candidate handbook, the reasons that prompt cancellation of nomination include:

If the signature of the candidate or any proposer is not genuine on the nomination form.

If the candidate does not belong to the class of persons for whom the seat in his or her constituency is reserved, e.g., if a candidate does not belong to the Scheduled Caste (SC) and he/she files a nomination paper to contest a seat reserved for the (SC).

If the proposer is not an elector of the constituency or is not eligible to be a proposer.

Failure to take the oath or affirmation as required by the Constitution.

The nomination paper was not delivered on time or at the specified place.

Nomination paper delivered by someone other than the candidate or their proposer.

The nomination paper is not substantially in the prescribed form. 

Submission of an inadequate security deposit.

The proposer is not an elector of the constituency or ineligible to be a proposer.

Failure to furnish the required affidavit or specify age in the nomination paper.

The candidate is not registered as an elector in the constituency and fails to provide the necessary documents.

Also read:

LS polls 2024: 544 nomination forms filed in Gujarat