5 candidates file nomination papers

Tribune News Service

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Dehradun, May 10

A total of five candidates, one each from the BJP, the Congress, Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD), the CPI and an independent filed their nomination papers on Thursday, the last day for filing of nomination papers for the Tharali (SC) Assembly segment.

The Election Commission has set May 11 as the date for scrutinizing of the nomination papers, while May 14 is the last date for the withdrawal of nomination papers.

Munni Devi, chairman of Chamoli Zila Panchayat, filed her papers as the BJP candidate. Chief Minister TS Rawat and Uttarakhand BJP chief Ajay Bhatt were present during the filing of the nomination papers by the BJP candidate. While filing his nomination papers the Congress candidate Jeet Ram was accompanied by Leader of the Opposition Indira Hridayesh.

The other candidates, who filed their nomination papers, include Kasbi Lal Shah from the Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD), Kunwar Ram from the CPI and independent candidate Biri Ram. Returning officer Pramanand Ram said the BJP candidate filed four set of nomination papers while the Congress candidate filed three sets of nomination papers. All the candidates filed their nominations in Tharali.

Later Uttarakhand Chief Minister TS Rawat addressed a meeting to bolster the prospects of the BJP candidate Munni Devi. He said after the demand made by former MLA Magan Lal Shah, a bus service between Tharali and Nandprayag had been started. “We have also linked Himni, a remote village in Chamoli, with Apollo hospital (New Delhi) under the tele medicine project,” he said.

Much to the relief of the Uttarakhand BJP the disgruntled leaders Guddu Lal and Balbir Guniyal did not file their nominations as independent candidates. Instead Guddu Lal was present at the meeting addressed by Chief Minister, while Balbir Guniyal, who is convalescing in a hospital, reiterated his support for the party.

Party sources claim that the BJP leadership in Uttarakhand has promised that they would be accommodated suitably whenever the party makes appointments to head various state boards and commissions.

State Congress president Pritam Singh asserted that Jeet Ram would register a landslide victory in the Tharali bypoll. He said the way a large number of people have turned up for filing of Congress leader’s nomination papers amply proved that people of Uttarakhand were with the Congress. He said the Congress would not only win Tharali bypoll but will also win 2019 Lok Sabha elections in a big way.

Candidates in fray

Munni Devi (BJP)

Jeet Ram (Congress)

Kasbi Lal Shah (UKD)

Kunwar Ram (CPI) 

Biri Ram (Independent)