Surat, India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday (Apr 22) clinched its first victory in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Gujarat. The state Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel announced that BJP’s candidate from Surat constituency won uncontested. It came as the nomination of the Congress candidate from the seat, the main opposition party, was rejected by the Election Commission. Others also withdrew their nominations from the constituency.

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"Hearty congratulations and best wishes to Surat Lok Sabha seat candidate Shri Mukeshbhai Dalal for being elected unopposed," Patel wrote in a post on X.

What happened?

On the final day of the nomination withdrawal deadline, the candidate from Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), along with several independent candidates, exited the race, paving the way for a direct contest between Congress and BJP.

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But on Sunday (Apr 21), the candidature of Nilesh Kumbhani was rejected as his three proposers said the signatures on the nomination papers was not theirs. Congress’ alternate candidate from the seat also faced the same fate, eventually kicking the grand old party out from the race.

Also read: Gujarat Lok Sabha elections 2024: Schedule, dates, phase, seats, candidates - All you need to know

Returning Officer (RO) Sourabh Pardhi in a statement said the step was taken after a preliminary investigation.

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However, Congress has said it will contest the decision in the state high court.

What do the rules say?

As per the rules, a candidate affiliated to a recognised political party needs to have one voter from the constituency to propose their candidacy.

For independent candidates, however, 10 such proposers from the constituency are required and they need to sign the candidate’s nomination papers.

Controversy

A major political controversy has erupted over the development, with Congress MP Rahul Gandhi slamming the rejection by saying that “the true face of the dictator is once again in front of the country!” “Taking away the right of the people to choose their leader is another step towards destroying the Constitution of Baba Saheb Ambedkar,” he added. In his X post, he ‘reiterated’ that this election is one to save the nation, to protect the Constitution.

Watch: Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Why Punjab matters for Indian polls

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Congress leader Jairam Ramesh also criticised the move on X.

“Our elections, our democracy, Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Constitution – everything is in grave danger. I repeat – this is the most important election of our lifetime!” Ramesh said in his post on X.

(With inputs from agencies)