LS poll candidates file nomination on last day
On the last day of nomination for the first phase of Lok Sabha elections on April 19, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Nainital-Udham Singh Nagar candidate Ajay Bhatt and Congress’ Haridwar candidate Virender Rawat, Garhwal candidate Ganesh Godiyal, NainitalUdham Singh Nagar candidate Prakash Joshi and Almora candidate Pradeep Tamta filed their candidature.
Bhatt, who is the Union minister of state for defence & tourism, filed his candidature from Nainital-US Nagar seat as BJP candidate in presence of chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.
Bhatt arrived at the collectorate alongwith CM Pushkar Singh Dhami, cabinet minister Saurabh Bahuguna, local MLA Shiv Arora, senior advocate Sunil Khera and handed over the nomination papers to district election officer and district magistrate Udayraj Singh at about 12.28 pm.
BJP has fielded Bhatt the second consecutive time from Nainital-US Nagar seat. He first became MP in 2019 by defeating Congress’ stalwart Harish Rawat by securing over 61% votes. Bhatt has also served as the state BJP chief and the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the state assembly WHEN?.
Speaking at a public meeting at Gandhi Park, CM Dhami said: “No one can stop BJP from winning all five parliamentary seats in Uttarakhand. People want to see Narendra Modi as Prime Minister third time with a victory over 400 seats in the country. Double engine government is committed to holistic development of the country.”
Bhatt said: “BJP high command has given me a second chance to serve this area. Dhami is working very hard and the development process will continue with coordination with the state government.” BJP state in-charge Dushyant Gautam, state president Mahendra Bhatt, former CM Ramesh Pokhariyal Nishak and Vijay Bahuguna and other senior leaders were present in the meeting.
Congress candidate from Nainital-US Nagar seat Prakash Joshi filed his nomination in presence of LoP in the state assembly Yashpal Arya, deputy LoP Bhuwan Kapri, party MLA Tilak Raj Behar, Gopal Singh Rana, Adesh Chauhan He handed over nomination papers at 2 pm.
Earlier, Congress workers held a road show from the grain market to the collectorate.
Josihi said: “The presence and zeal of the workers in the road show is an indication that we will contest the election with great morale. Voters of the area have understood that BJP makes false promises and does nothing.”
Prakash Joshi is the former national secretary of Congress and said to be close to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. He also served at various positions in NSUI, Youth Congress. He also unsuccessfully contested from Kaladhungi constituency in Nainital district in 2012 and 2017 assembly elections.
Meanwhile, Congress candidate from Almora (SC reserved) Pradeep Tamta filed his nomination in presence of party president Karan Mahara, MLA Manoj Tiwari, Harish Dhami and senior leader Govind Singh Kunjwal.
He handed over the nomination paper at 12 noon to district election officer Vineet Tomar. Mahara said: “Blessing of the public is with Tamta. He will definitely win the election with a heavy margin.”
Congress has fielded Pradeep Tamta fourth time from this seat. He won the election in 2009 defeating BJP’s Ajay Tamta but lost in 2014 and 2019 to Ajay Tamta. BJP has fielded Ajay Tamta from this seat and he had filed his nomination on March 21.
Congress candidate from Haridwar constituency Virender Rawat filed his nomination at Roshnabad election office in Haridwar in presence of his father and former chief minister Harish Rawat.
Prior to filing nomination Virender Rawat accompanied by Harish Rawat carried out a roadshow.
Talking to media persons, Virender Rawat said that voters want change which is getting reflected in mass support and welcome he is getting during the ongoing election campaign.
“BJP has become arrogant, is defying constitution, governance norms and using all means to gain poll victory. But the public understands it very well and is looking towards Congress this time (election) , which is the only party which carries together all sections of the society,” said Harish Rawat.
The BJP has fielded former chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat from the seat.
Congress’ Garhwal candidate Ganesh Godiyal, who is former president of Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC), filed his candidature at Pauri Garhwal. Godiyal is also the two time MLA.