AAP, BJP candidates file papers, seven in fray for by-election so far

Four candidates filed their nomination papers here today for the upcoming by-election to the Tarn Taran assembly constituency. With this, a total of seven candidates have filed their papers till date. In the office of the Returning Officer-cum-Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Harmeet Singh Sandhu of the AAP filed his nomination papers today. Rajesh Walia filed his nomination papers as the covering candidate for the Aam Aadmi Party nominee.

BJP candidate Harjeet Singh Sandhu and Sachho Sach Party candidate Sham Lal Gandhi also filed their nomination papers today. Earlier, Congress candidate Karanbir Singh, Shiromani Akali Dal candidate Sukhwinder Kaur and Kanchanpreet Kaur as the covering candidate of the Shiromani Akali Dal also filed their nomination papers. Returning Officer Gurmeet Singh said that nomination can be filed till October 21 for the by-election to the Tarn Taran assembly constituency. He said that October 18 (Saturday) is not a holiday under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, and nomination papers can be filed on that day too. However, October 19 (Sunday) and October 20 (Monday, Diwali) are holidays under this Act, and nomination papers cannot be filed on these dates. He further said that the scrutiny of nomination papers will be done on October 22 while October 24 is the last date for withdrawal of nomination papers. He said that the elections will be held on November 11 and the counting of votes will be done on November 14. The entire election process will be completed by November 16.

On the occasion of filing of nomination paper, the AAP candidate organised a grand roadshow in which a large number of party workers from far and wide participated. The candidate of Waris Punjab De Mandeep Singh will file his papers tomorrow. CM Bhagwant Mann, party's Punjab affairs in-charge Manish Sisodia, state president Aman Arora and Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar, who is from Patti, were present at the time of filing of papers of AAP’s Sandhu.