Bhopal: Despite the complaint lodged by Congress against independent candidate Vinod Gotiya, the Returning officer termed his nomination papers as valid. In all nominations of four candidates were found valid. If required, the polling would be held on June 11. Wednesday was the day scheduled for scrutiny of nomination forms. In all five nominations were filed. The Returning officer Bhagwandev Israni found four nominations valid and rejected one nomination of an independent candidate Shashi Stella.
On Wednesday, State Congress’ Chief Spokesperson KK Mishra convened a press conference and alleged that State BJP General Secretary Vinod Gotiya submitted false affidavit while filing his nomination as an independent candidate for the Rajya Sabha. Mishra told that Gotiya has provided no information about his wife Seema Gotiya and daughter Priya Gotiya in his affidavit. The Congress has filed a complaint before the Returning Officer in this regard and demanded that his nomination be cancelled.
Explaining the technicalities of the complaint, advocate Ajay Gupta pointed out that a candidate is required to provide information about criminal cases against him and details of his property in the complaint. Since, Gotiya did not provide information about his wife and daughter and thereby assets owned by them, he has provided false information in affidavit. Besides, signatures of 10 proposers, who signed the nomination, do not carry dates.
Gupta said that Gotiya admitted to having a wife and a daughter during an argument over the complaint. He married in 1997 but was living separately since 1998. Gupta asserted that no changes could be made in the nomination as yesterday was the last date for filing nomination.
Mishra said that the Congress would move the court in case nomination is not rejected. This would lead to cancellation of the election to all the three Rajya Sabha seats.
While Anil Madhav Dave and MJ Akbar submitting their nomination papers here on the final day yesterday for doing so as ruling BJP candidates for the Rajya Sabha elections , the saffron party’s state General Secretary Vinod Gotiya also plunged into the fray as an independent.