56 mins ago
Congress Challenges BJP Candidate’s Nandigram Bypoll Election Affidavit
The Indian National Congress says a Bharatiya Janata Party candidate’s election form may contain a serious mistake.
The form reportedly says Hasirani Rath is over 60 and passed the Madhyamik examination in 1965.
Congress says these details do not seem possible because 1965 may also be close to her birth year.
It asked the Calcutta High Court to cancel her candidacy if the education information is false.
The court allowed the case to be filed, but it has not yet ruled on the allegation.
The Bharatiya Janata Party called the challenge a failed opposition effort.
Congress had also asked the Election Commission of India to investigate the matter.
In a separate case, Congress candidate Milan Pradhan sought bail in a 2007 murder case before the bypoll.
The Indian National Congress has alleged discrepancies in Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Hasirani Rath’s Nandigram election affidavit.
The alleged inconsistency concerns Rath’s reported age and her stated year of passing the Madhyamik examination.
Congress lawyer Riju Ghosal asked the Calcutta High Court to cancel Rath’s candidature if her educational qualification is found false.
The court allowed Congress to file its case, with the matter likely to be heard on Thursday; the Bharatiya Janata Party rejected the allegations.
Separately, Congress candidate Milan Pradhan sought bail in a 2007 murder case linked to the Nandigram movement ahead of the bypoll.
- Who
- The Indian National Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Hasirani Rath, the Election Commission of India, and the Calcutta High Court are central to the affidavit dispute; Congress candidate Milan Pradhan is involved in a separate bail matter.
- What
- Congress is challenging alleged inconsistencies in Rath’s election affidavit and seeking cancellation of her candidature if the educational details are false. Pradhan is seeking bail in a 2007 murder case.
- Where
- The cases concern the Nandigram bypoll and were brought before the Calcutta High Court in West Bengal.
- When
- The issues were raised on Tuesday and Wednesday, with the affidavit case likely to be heard on Thursday and Pradhan’s matter expected later in the week.
- Why
- Congress says Rath’s reported age and 1965 Madhyamik-passing year are factually inconsistent and alleges that the Election Commission of India failed to act.
Congress’s allegations
BJP’s response
Validity of the affidavit
Congress’s allegations
The Indian National Congress says Rath’s reported age and Madhyamik-passing year are factually impossible and wants her candidature cancelled if the qualification is false.
BJP’s response
The Bharatiya Janata Party rejects the allegations and describes the challenge as a failed attempt by the opposition.
Election Commission’s handling
Congress’s allegations
Congress alleges that the Election Commission of India scrutinised the affidavit but failed to act, and has requested an impartial inquiry.
BJP’s response
The article reports the BJP’s rejection of the challenge but does not provide a separate explanation of the Election Commission’s position.
Key facts
- Candidate challenged
- Hasirani Rath, Bharatiya Janata Party candidate for Nandigram
- Alleged discrepancy
- Her affidavit reportedly lists 1965 as the year she passed the Madhyamik examination, despite indicating she was born around 1965 or 1966.
- Requested action
- Congress wants Rath’s candidature cancelled if her educational qualification is found false.
- Court status
- The Calcutta High Court allowed Congress to file the case; a hearing was likely on Thursday.
- Election authority
- Congress earlier sought an impartial inquiry from the Election Commission of India.
- Separate legal matter
- Congress candidate Milan Pradhan sought bail in a murder case dating to the 2007 Nandigram movement.
Quotes
Riju Ghosal
Congress leader and lawyer who raised the affidavit issue before the Calcutta High Court
“If the educational qualification is found to be false, her candidature should be cancelled”
thestatesman.com
Sources
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