Lok Sabha elections 2024: Curtains drawn in Surat as BJP registers its first victory
PTC Web Desk: In a political twist that seemed straight out of a gripping thriller, the BJP has claimed victory in Gujarat's Surat Lok Sabha constituency without a single vote being cast. Mukesh Dalal, BJP candidate, emerged as the sole contender after a series of events that left his opponents out of the race. The saga began with Congress' Nilesh Kumbhani entering the fray, only to find his nomination form rejected by the Returning Officer.
The reason? None of his three proposers could be produced before the election officer, leading to doubts about the authenticity of the signatures. The BJP was quick to raise questions about discrepancies, particularly in the signatures of Nilesh Kumbhani's relatives, who were his proposers.
As if scripted for a political thriller, the drama escalated when Congress' substitute candidate, Suresh Padsala, faced a similar fate with his nomination form being invalidated. With both Congress candidates effectively sidelined, the BJP's path to victory seemed assured.
In a move that added fuel to the fire, Returning Officer Sourabh Pardhi stated that the proposers themselves claimed not to have signed the forms. This revelation not only raised eyebrows, but also led to accusations of a foul play. The Congress, smelling a political conspiracy, accused the ruling BJP of intimidation tactics, alleging that Kumbhani's proposers had been 'kidnapped.'
Congress leader and advocate Babu Mangukiya took centre stage in this political drama, vocally challenging the rejection of the nomination forms. He demanded a thorough investigation into the alleged disappearance of Kumbhani's proposers, urging the Returning Officer to focus not just on signatures but on the larger picture of political maneuvering.
In a desperate attempt to salvage the situation, Kumbhani appeared before the election officer with his advocate, hoping to sway the decision. However, the absence of his proposers and the lack of evidence in video footage sealed his fate. The stage was set, the curtains drawn, and the BJP emerged victorious in Surat without contest.
- With inputs from agencies
