Mangaluru: Dr U P Shivananda’s nomination papers for Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency in Uttar Pradesh was rejected by the Election Commission. Dr Shivanand wanted to spread a message to every household that a candidate should fight the elections based on his work and credibility and not based on the names of their leaders.
‘Suddi Bidugade’ chief editor Dr Shivananda from Puttur had filed his nomination papers in Varanasi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s constituency. His nomination application was rejected on April 30 after scrutiny.
Speaking to newskarnataka.com Dr Shivananda said, “In my nomination paper submitted to the returning officer at Varanasi, on April 29 I had left 6A blank under column 26, part A as it was not applicable to me. When the returning officer accepted my nomination paper they gave me a checklist at 3 pm on April 29 and told me to bring an affidavit at 11 am on 30 April and also my proposers had to sign the form in front of the returning officer.”
“When I went to give the affidavit in the morning on April 30, I was not allowed to meet the returning officer and was told that I can meet him only as per my candidate serial number, which was 67. Finally, as per the serial number, I got to meet him at 6 pm. I was told my nomination was rejected as my proposers had not signed the form in front of the returning officer. The returning officer did not accept my affidavit also. My nomination papers were rejected,” he said.
Dr Shivanand has filed an appeal with the election commission saying that column 26, 6A was not applicable to him as he was an independent candidate and the reasons for rejecting his application was not given to him in writing.
Dr Shivananda had filed his nomination papers from Amethi also. His nomination application was accepted on April 20 after scrutiny in Amethi.
Another Kannadiga Suhail Sait from Bengaluru had also filed his nomination in Varanasi, which was rejected.
