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The nomination papers of three candidates – JMM’s Baidyanath Ram, Congress candidate Pranav Jha and Independent candidate Nathwani – were scrutinised on Tuesday.
BJP-supported independent candidate Parimal Nathwani files his nomination for the Rajya Sabha elections in Jharkhand. (Source: X)
A day after sitting Rajya Sabha MP from Andhra Pradesh and businessman Parimal Nathwani filed his nomination for the June 18 Rajya Sabha election in Jharkhand, the Congress, along with the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), raised objections over his nomination papers.
This prompted the Returning Officer to further scrutinise the documents and seek a response from the NDA-backed Independent candidate, reported The Indian Express.
The officer conducted scrutiny of nomination papers filed by JMM’s Baidyanath Ram, Congress candidate Pranav Jha, and Independent candidate Nathwani on Tuesday.
While the Returning Officer found the nominations of Ram and Jha valid, clarification was sought from Nathwani over objections raised during the scrutiny process.
Also Read: Who Is Parimal Nathwani? BJP-Backed Independent in Jharkhand Rajya Sabha Race
The businessman was directed to either present his case by 11 am on Wednesday or send an authorised representative to appear on his behalf.
What Objections Did Congress Raise?
The Congress leaders raised objections, alleging discrepancies and non-disclosure of personal information in Parimal Nathwani’s nomination papers.
Speaking to The Indian Express, Congress spokesperson Rakesh Sinha said Nathwani had allegedly failed to disclose details of companies where he holds directorship positions.
“Our objection is that Parimal Nathwani has not shared certain personal details. He has not mentioned the company in which he is a director,” Sinha said.
He further said there was also an inconsistency in the way Nathwani’s name had been recorded in the nomination papers. “His name is Parimal Nathwani, but the nomination has been filed in the name of ‘Nathwani Parimal’,” Sinha said.
Sinha also alleged that certain personal details, including declarations regarding pending cases, were not properly disclosed in the nomination papers.
Also Read: Rajya Sabha Elections: How Parimal Nathwani’s Entry Complicates UPA’s Jharkhand Arithmetic
When asked about the source of the objection, Sinha said it had been raised by a Congress candidate.
However, the BJP dismissed the objections and said that it was politically motivated and lacking merit. “The objections are baseless,” said BJP general secretary Amar Kumar Bauri while speaking to The Indian Express.
Who Is Parimal Nathwani?
Nathwani has served twice as a Rajya Sabha member from Jharkhand and once from Andhra Pradesh on behalf of the YSR Congress. During his tenure in the Upper House, he also served on several parliamentary committees, according to media reports.
Nathwani was a two-term Rajya Sabha MP from Jharkhand between 2008 and 2020. He is now seeking another term from the state and has filed his nomination as an Independent candidate.
After filing his nomination papers, Nathwani said he would seek votes on the basis of the work he has done in Jharkhand. “Having spent 12 years here, Jharkhand is not new to me. I am hopeful that I will get an opportunity to serve as a Rajya Sabha MP. I will seek votes based on the work I have done; that work is visible to the public and speaks for itself. It would be wrong not to continue with it,” he told reporters.
BJP’s Jharkhand unit has announced its support for his candidature after deciding not to field its own candidate for one of the two Rajya Sabha seats, citing insufficient numbers in the Assembly.
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Prisha is the Chief Sub-Editor at News18.com, with more than 10 years of experience in national and international news. She specialises in editorial leadership, sharp news judgment, and high-impact st…Read More
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