Allegations of irregularities in nomination process
The Congress has accused the ruling BJP in Rajasthan of influencing the nomination process for the upcoming urban local body elections, alleging that its candidates were prevented from filing nominations before the deadline. The deadline for filing nominations ended at 3 pm on Monday.
Rajasthan Assembly Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully alleged that BJP candidates were allowed to submit party symbol authorisations at several places even after the deadline. "Not accepting the forms of Congress candidates who reached with party symbols before the stipulated time is murder of democracy," Jully said. He alleged irregularities in Bhilwara, Alwar, Baseri and Mathania and urged the State Election Commission to take immediate cognisance of the matter.
Jully claimed that Congress candidates in Bhilwara were not allowed to submit their nomination forms and symbol authorisations despite reaching the venue before the deadline. He also alleged that rules were violated in Alwar and that BJP candidates' forms were accepted in Baseri after 3 pm.
"These incidents raise serious questions over the impartiality of the election process. This double standard in election rules under pressure from those in power is an attack on democracy," he said. Jully accused the BJP of attempting to "steal" the elections and said the Congress would challenge any irregularities before every constitutional forum.
Protest by former Congress MLA
Jully's allegations came as former Congress MLA Divya Maderna staged a protest outside the returning officer's office in Mathania in Jodhpur district over alleged discrimination during the nomination process. Maderna began the protest on Monday and remained outside the official's office through the night. She alleged that the local MLA and a BJP candidate were allowed to enter the RO's office after the 3 pm deadline.
According to Maderna, the local police station officer received the MLA at the gate and escorted him inside, while a Congress candidate who was already inside was forced out. "How can the same rule be different for two people?" she asked. She also questioned who had ordered the police to remove the Congress candidate from the office.
Similar allegations from Sachin Pilot
AICC general secretary and former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot raised similar allegations while speaking to reporters in Barmer. Pilot alleged that BJP candidates in Jodhpur and Alwar submitted their party symbol authorisations after the deadline. "All this is recorded. Despite this, the State Election Commission is doing nothing," he said, accusing the commission of working under pressure from the government.
Pilot also alleged factionalism within the BJP, saying: "There is factionalism in the BJP. Two candidates are reaching the same place with the party symbol."
Election schedule
Elections are being held for 10,245 councillor posts across 309 urban local bodies, comprising 10 municipal corporations, 51 municipal councils and 248 municipalities. Polling will be held in two phases on September 9 and 11, with counting scheduled for September 14. Candidates can withdraw their nominations until September 3. A total of 16,465 polling centres will be set up across the urban local bodies.
Heads of urban local bodies will be elected on September 21, and general meetings of municipal corporations, councils and municipalities will be held on September 22. Elections for deputy mayors, deputy chairpersons and municipal vice-presidents will be held during these meetings.