Bhilai, Apr 03, 2019: The BJP candidate Vijay Baghel filed his nomination papers on Wednesday in the presence of several senior BJP leaders who accompanied him to the Collectorate. Prior to filing of the nomination papers a huge rally was taken out from Manas Bhavan which later converted into a public address. The presence of top BJP leaders from the state including the former Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh, leader opposition Dharmalal Kaushik, MP Ramesh Bais, former cabinet ministers Prem Prakash Pandey, Ramsheela Sahu, Dayaldas Baghel, former parliamentary secretary Labhchand Bafna, former MLA Awdhesh Chandel, former Rajyasabha member and senior BJP leader Gopal Vyas, District Panchayat President Maya Belchandan, Mayors Chandrika Chandrakar and Chandrakanta Mandley and Lok Sabha convenor Prahlad Razak, BJP District President Usha Tawri, Rajendra Sharma, Sanwla Ram Dahre, several other leaders added to the enthusiasm of the party workers.
As per the earlier announced schedule the party candidate Vijay Baghel accompanied by array of leaders began from Manas Bhavan and after covering Rajendra Park Chowk, from near Sindhi Dharamsala, then from the front of Gurudwara, Shaheed Chowk, Agarsen Chowk, Subhash Chowk, Indira Market reached the Old Bus Stand where it converted into a public gathering. Thereafter, BJP candidate and other prominent leaders addressed the gathering. After the rally Vijay Baghel reached the Collectorate and filed his nomination.
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Congress candidate Pratima too files nomination
The Congress candidate Pratima Chandrakar too filed the first nomination papers, in keeping with the “Subh Mahurat” on Wednesday. She filed nomination in three sets where Durg (Urban) MLA Arun Vora, RN Verma and Tulasi Sahu signed as the introducer. Prior to filing nomination, she offered prayers to the religious places including temples, Gurudwara, Church and Masjid. During the filing of nomination she was accompanied by several Congress leaders including Pradeep Choubey and supporters in large number. Later interacting with media persons she expressed confidence that Congress would win the seat with a margin or more than 3 lakh votes.
It is worth mention that Pratima would file another nomination with fanfare on April 04 where she would be accompanied by top Congress leaders including Congress State Incharge PL Punia, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, Health Minister TS Singhdeo, Home Minister Tamradhwaj Sahu, Agriculture Minister Ravindra Choubey, PHE Minister Rudra Guru, MAL Arun Vora, Devendra Yadav, Ashish Chabra, former MLA BD Qureshi, Bhajan Singh Nirankari.
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Eight file nomination on sixth day
On Wednesday, eight candidates including the candidates of BJP and Congress filed their nominations for the Lok Sabha Election from Durg seat. District Collector Ankit Anand informed that INC candidate Pratima Chandrakar, BJP candidate Vijay Baghel, Tresa David of Prajabandhu Party; Kamlesh Kumar Nagarchi of Shiv Sena; Lokesh Kumar Mishra of Sangwari Minjhra Party; Arun Kumar Joshi of Swatantra Party; Pitambar Nishad of Bharat Prabhat Party and Swatantra Kumar Tiwari of Azad Bharat Party.
On the other hand, three candidates have purchased nominations on the day. They are Sunil Kumar Markandey (independent); Manharan Singh Thakur (Gondwana Ganatantra Party) and Manoj Kumar Gaikwad (independent). In all 26 candidates have purchased nominations till Wednesday out of which 17 have filed their nominations. Seven candidates are yet to file the same.
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Notice served to BJP candidate
District Election Officer has served notice to the Bharatiya Janata Party Candidate Vijay Baghel for violation of the model code of conduct. According to information, the candidate had permission for entry of only three vehicles in the District Collectorate premises for filing nomination. On Wednesday, Baghel reached there with a grand procession. All the remaining vehicles and supporters did not enter the restricted area, however, the car of former Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh along with the three other permitted vehicles entered the District Collectorate premises.
Considering it to be violation of the model code, District Election Officer has issued notice to BJP Candidate Vijay Baghel and has directed him to file reply within 48-hours. On the other hand, notice was also served to Nayab Tehsildar Chandra Shekhar Mandai, who was the in-charge of the entry gates. The responsibility of entry gates of District Collectorate have been taken away from him.
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