New Delhi: Mukesh Dalal, the BJP candidate from Gujarat’s Surat constituency, was elected unopposed. With this, the first victory for the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Congress’s Nilesh Kumbhani’s paper was rejected after the three voters who had nominated him withdrew. Subsequently, other non-BJP candidates withdrew their nomination papers.
On Saturday, the day of scrutiny, the nominees directly gave an affidavit to the election officer that the signature on the paper of the Congress candidate was not theirs. A person who nominated Suresh Padasala, a dummy candidate, also gave a similar affidavit. BJP wants to reject papers. The candidate’s agent filed a complaint.
On Sunday, the Returning Officer announced that the nomination papers of both were rejected as they could not produce the nominees or give a satisfactory explanation. Seven candidates, including independents, withdrew their papers today. Congress, which is contesting with AAP in Gujarat, has decided to contest in 24 seats. Two seats were given to AAP.
