After 6 hours, 44 candidates, Kejriwal files nomination; AAP cries ‘BJP proxies’

AAP, which is making a third bid to return to power in Delhi, claimed that 35 candidates with incomplete papers insisted that they would not allow Kejriwal to file unless their nominations were accepted.

“Around 35 candidates sitting at RO office with CM, without proper nomination papers, without even 10 proposers. They are calling their proposers on phone to come. They are insisting unless their papers are complete and they file nomination, they won’t allow CM to file nomination,” AAP MLA Saurabh Bharadwaj’s tweeted.

Doesn’t matter. Many of them r filing for the first time. They r bound to make mistakes. We also made mistakes the first time. We shud hand hold them. I am enjoying waiting wid them. They r all part of my family. https://t.co/9s8hRDnjSU

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) January 21, 2020

Responding to Bhardwaj’s tweet, Kejriwal said it does not matter as many of them are filing their nominations for the first time. “Many of them are filing for the first time. They are bound to make mistakes. We also made mistakes the first time. We should handhold them. I am enjoying waiting with them. They are all part of my family,” Kejriwal said in a tweet.

According to guidelines, while nominations can be filed till 3 pm, candidates who have already collected tokens to file their papers are allowed to do so beyond the time limit.

बीजेपी ने @ArvindKejriwal से पहले आज 45 उम्मीदवार पर्चे भरने के लिए लाइन में लगा दिए हैं. चुनाव आयोग जानबूझकर हर उम्मीदवार को आधा या एक घंटा दिए जा रहा है, जिसके काग़ज़ पूरे नही है उसे भी, जिसके प्रस्तावक नही है उनको भी, ताकि @ArvindKejriwal को पर्चा भरने से रोका जा सके. https://t.co/obLA4RpekV

— Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) January 21, 2020

Smelling a rat, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said no matter how much the BJP conspired, they would not be able to stop Kejriwal from filing his nomination.

“BJP, no matter how much you conspire, you will not be able to stop Kejriwal from filing his nomination or from becoming the chief minister for the third time. Your conspiracies will not yield any result,” Sisodia tweeted.

“BJP has sent 45 candidates to file their nominations before Arvind Kejriwal. The Election Commission is intentionally spending 30 minutes to 1 hour on those who don’t have all the papers, those who don’t have proposers — all so that Arvind Kejriwal can be stopped from filing his nomination,” Sisodia said in another tweet.

Meanwhile, in an attempt to clear the air, the Election Commission of India (ECI) issued a press release this evening dismissing any role of the election machinery in connection with the delay in Kejriwal filing his nomination. “In this regard, it is hereby clarified that the above information on social media is misleading information and there is no deliberate delay on the part of the election machinery,” the release stated.

Further, laying down the procedure followed by the Returning Officer, the ECI said the nomination of one candidate can take 30 to 35 minutes depending upon the number of sets of nomination papers.

“As far as the nomination process in AC-40 New Delhi is concerned, it is stated that today 3.00 pm was the last date and time for receiving the nomination form and there was a huge rush of aspiring candidates (total 66) who presented before the RO today to file their nomination. In view of this huge rush on the last day, the nomination process has taken more time beyond 3.00 pm and the same is allowed as per law,” the press release said.

Delhi goes to polls on February 8 and counting will take place on February 11. BJP has fielded Sunil Yadav against Kejriwal while Congress has fielded Romesh Sabharwal.