War of nerves before bypoll
High drama over validity of nominations of TDP and YSRCP candidates in the bypoll of Nandyal ended here on Monday with returning officer Prasanna Kumar finding the papers in order clearing the decks for holding the elections. As a climax to the allegations and counter allegations, TDP and YSRCP complained to the returning officer that the nominations of their rivals were not in order.
Returning officer finds TDP, YSRCP nominee papers in order
Nandyal: High drama over validity of nominations of TDP and YSRCP candidates in the bypoll of Nandyal ended here on Monday with returning officer Prasanna Kumar finding the papers in order clearing the decks for holding the elections. As a climax to the allegations and counter allegations, TDP and YSRCP complained to the returning officer that the nominations of their rivals were not in order.
In a complaint lodged by the TDP, nomination of YSRCP candidate Silpa Mohan Reddy was not in order as the notary whose signature on the nomination is not valid since notary Rama Tulasi’s licence expired. The TDP urged the returning officer to declare the nomination as invalid. Countering the allegations, YSRCP leaders alleged that the TDP nominee Brahmananda Reddy’s income-tax particulars were incomplete and hence urged the returning officer to declare it as null and void.
The officials studied the nominations papers exhaustively. After consulting the legal experts, the returning officer declared the nominations to be in order.
The YSRCP also disputed Brahmananda Reddy’s claim of belonging to the Hindu-undivided family and pointed out that the same did not figure in the affidavit filed by Akhila Priya, Tourism Minister, when she contested the bypoll from Allagadda after death of her mother in a road accident.
Prasanna Kumar consulted Chief Electoral Officer Bhanwarlal and dismissed the objections raised by the two parties. Followers of both the camps heaved a sigh of relief over the decision.
Commenting on the TDP claim, YSRCP leader Silpa Chakrapani Reddy and MLA Srikant Reddy described the TDP claim as an example of cheap politics.
They appreciated the returning officer for being nonpartisan. The TDP leaders, who expected a miracle to take place since the morning, left the place avoiding the media on learning about the returning officer’s decision.
According to reports, what matters most is the details mentioned in the affidavit not the validity of the licence of the notary. The returning officer also dismissed the objection that the TDP nominee did not file IT returns.
