7 nominations rejected in MP

Bhopal, Oct 14 (UNI) Nomination papers of 7 candidates for the Vidisha Lok Sabha and Malehra Assembly byelections in Madhya Pradesh were rejected during scrutiny today.

Fourteen candidates were left in the fray in Vidisha and 25 in Malehra, election office said.

In Vidisha, which fell vacant due to resignation by Mr Shivraj Singh Chouhan on his election to the Assembly after becoming Chief Minister, the papers of BJP dummy candidates Thakur Mohar Singh and Hari Narayan Saxena, besides two independents- Rudra Prasad Tiwari and Anil Kumar- were rejected.

Mr Anil Kumar had not deposited security amount, while Mr Saxena's name did not figure in the electoral rolls. BJP had not endorsed the candidature of the cover candidates.

In Malehra constituency in Chhatarpur district, the nomination of Mahadeo Prasad Agrawal was rejected as the Bahujan Samaj Party had not endorsed his candidature. Of the independents, K L Soni's papers were rejected as he had not submitted the affidavit, while Mr Janak Bhai's nomination was rejected as his name did not figure in the serial number of the electoral roll mentioned by him.

Malehra seat fell vacant due to resignation by former Chief Minister Uma Bharti after forming Bhartiya Jan Shakti following her expulsion from BJP.

Polling in both constituencies is scheduled on October 30. The last date for withdrawal of nominations is October 16.

Despite the presence of a large number of candidates, the main contest will be among ruling BJP, Congress and Uma Bharti-led Bhartiya Jan Shakti.

UNI Team-SP PK BS1521