The Madhya Pradesh by-election was necessitated after former Union minister L Murugan resigned his seat on October 14, years before his term was set to conclude in April 2030. Returning officer Umesh Sharma eliminated Congress-backed candidates Rajkumar Lohani and Kante Sayanna on the final day of scrutiny due to invalid nomination papers. Although opponents claimed Hardeep Puri submitted an incomplete affidavit, election authorities found no defects in his submission. As a result, Puri remains the sole valid contender ahead of the November 5 candidate withdrawal deadline.
Key points
Hardeep Puri emerged as the only eligible candidate after election officials validated hi…: Hardeep Puri emerged as the only eligible candidate after election officials validated his nomination paperwork.
Congress leaders denounced the returning officer's decision as an attack on democracy and…: Congress leaders denounced the returning officer's decision as an attack on democracy and announced plans to challenge it in court.
The seat contested in the Madhya Pradesh bypoll carries an existing term scheduled to con…: The seat contested in the Madhya Pradesh bypoll carries an existing term scheduled to conclude on April 2, 2030.
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NEW DELHI: Union minister Hardeep Puri is set to win the upcoming Rajya Sabha bypoll unopposed from Madhya Pradesh after the nomination papers filed by two candidates were rejected by the returning officer.According to news agency PTI, the nominations of Congress-backed candidates Rajkumar Lohani and Kante Sayanna were rejected on the last day of scrutiny.Meanwhile, the two independent candidates, along with Congress leader Hemant Katare, also objected to Puri's nomination papers, contending that his affidavit in Form 26 was invalid and incomplete.However, returning officer Umesh Sharma examined the objections and held that Puri had not violated any requirements of the Representation of the People Act."No defect was found in Puri's papers," the returning officer said in his order.Congress termed the order an "attack on Indian democracy" and said it would move court against it."This is an attack on Indian democracy. Despite such significant errors, the nomination was not rejected," Katare and Congress MLA Atif Aqeel said in a statement.
The bypoll was necessitated by the resignation of former Union minister L Murugan, who vacated the seat on October 14.
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