From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore
Bangalore, Jun 2: In view of the objections filed by the ruling BJP questioning validity of nomination papers filed four candidates -- Iqbal Ahmed Saradagi, K Govindaraj (both Congress), Sayed Mudeer Aga of JD(S) and Byrathy Suresh (Independent) -- the scrutiny of nominations for the June 11 biennial elections to the Legislative Council from the State Legislative Assembly has been postponed to Monday June 4.
As per the schedule, Saturday was the day of scrutiny of nomination papers filed by 13 candidates to 11 seats in the council.
A total of 13 candidates had filed their nomination papers on Friday.
The nomination paper of T D R Harichnadra Gowda (Independent) has been rejected as no legislator has proposed his name.
The BJP on Saturday questioned the nomination paper of Govindaraj of the Congress on grounds of office of profit.
Govindaraj is Karnataka Olympic Association’s President and hence he is not eligible to contest elections to the council, the BJP said in its objections filed before Returning Officer P Omprakash, who is also the Legislative Assembly Secretary.
The BJP maintained that Congress nominee Iqbal Ahmed Saradagi, former MP from Gulbarga, and JD(S) candidate Sayed Mudeer Aga and Independent candidate Byrathy Suresh, backed by JD(S), have not filed nomination papers as per the procedure laid down by the Election Commission of India.
All the three candidates had filed nominations using stamp papers worth Rs 20 instead of Rs 50, the BJP said and asking the Returning Officer to reject their nominations for not following the prescribed procedures.
BJP contended that as per the Election Commission of India rules, candidates have to file nomination papers using stamp papers of Rs 50 in value.
Opposition parties’ candidates and their advocates met the Returning Officer and sought time to give their replies to objections raised by the BJP.
They have been given time till 11 am on Monday to file their replies.
Monday is the last day for withdrawal of nominations.
Meanwhile, the quashing of the election of BJP MLA Nandish Reddy in the 2008 assembly polls by the High Court due to irregularities in the rejection of the nomination of a candidate on Friday and the sentencing of BJP MLA Sampangi on bribery charges following the Lokyukta trap case has queered the pitch within the ruling party.
It remains to be seen if Nandish Reddy and Sampangi are allowed to vote in the elections.