No nominations filed on Day 1

Aparna Banerji

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, January 11

No nominations were filed on the first day for filing nominations from the district. While the Congress and BJP candidate lists had not been released until the filing of the story, none of the candidates from the Aam Aadmi Party or SAD from the district filed nominations today, either.

In the periphery as well, including Kapurthala, Nawanshahr and Hoshiarpur, no nominations were filed by any of the candidates so far.

In view of the first day of filing nominations, a police van, with a CCTV mounted on top of it, was also deputed outside the DAC in Jalandhar today, to monitor visits of the candidates and their accompanying volunteers.

Notably, with the Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal coming to the city on January 13 for his road show across urban constituencies, sources said it was unlikely for any AAP candidate to file their nominations before 13, as a majority of them would be filing after that date.

Meanwhile, with BJP and the Congress candidates’ name likely to be issued this evening, their respective nomination dates are also not yet known.

BJP district president Rakesh Sharma said: “While the seats are likely to be announced this evening, the date of filing of nominations be respective candidates will only be revealed subsequently. Based on religious inclinations, many would also file them depending on consultations regarding auspicious timing.”

While the Shiromani Akali Dal and AAP have declared all their candidates from Doaba, the Congress has declared only two — Rajinder Beri (from Jalandhar Central) and Surinder Singh (from Kartarpur). The BJP has not declared any candidate so far.

As per the ECI guidelines, only three vehicles will be allowed within the periphery of 100 meters of Returning Officers’ office at the time of the nominations. Not over four authorised persons will be allowed to enter the ROs’ office along with the candidate.

Only one door shell be kept open for the candidate and his associates’ entry while all other doors will be closed.

As per the poll schedule of the ECI, the last date for filing nominations is January 18. The scrutiny of nominations would be on January 19 while the date for withdrawal of candidature would be January 21.

Phagwara: No nomination papers were filed today in the Phagwara Assembly seat, Returning Officer and SDM Balbir Raj Singh said while interacting with the media here. The Congress and the BJP are yet to announce their candidates from the seat. However, Jarnail Nangal will contest on the AAP ticket and Surinder Dhadhey is the BSP nominee from Phagwara.