Poll aspirants gripped by kharmas fear in J'khand

Chatra, Jan 13 (UNI) Aspiring candidates for bypolls to the Simaria Assembly seat seem to be dogged by ''kharmas fear'' as the past four days drew blank in terms of filing of nomination papers.

Not a single nomination was filed by any of the candidates till yesterday, four days after the notification issued in this regard, official sources here said.

According to Hindu mythology, ''kharmas'' has been identified as inauspicious month beginning from December 14 every year.

The astrologers believe that starting any new project or performing any rituals, including marriages, during the period would yield adverse impact.

Sources in various political parties said their candidates for the February-4 bypolls were also gripped by similar fears.

According to astrologers, the ''kharmas'' which generally ends on January 14, however, will last till midnight of January 14 at about 0032 hrs when the Sun enters the house of Makar (Capricorn).

The CPI and Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Democratic) have announced their nominees while the UPA and NDA are yet to come up with consensus on their repective candidates for the fray.

Mr Jagannath Singh Bhokta would contest as JVM(D) candidate and Ramchandra Ram, the CPI candidate, would be backed by the CPM.

The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) hinted that the party would field Yogendra Baitha but the party would have to get clearance from the other UPA allies on the issue where as the Congress and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM).

The bypoll was necessitated following death of BJP's Upendra Nath Das.

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