Cong. candidate's nomination in Davangere North seat rejected

Davanagere, Apr 30 (UNI) The Congress in Karantaka suffered a jolt as the Returning Officer of Davanagere North Assembly seat, going to poll on May 16, rejected the nomination papers of both the official as well as rebel candidate after scrutiny today.

Two candidates had filed nomination with one submitting the 'B' form in which his name was written striking out the original candidate's name.

During scrutiny, the Returning Officer Mr Panduranga, found that District Congress President S S Mallikarjun and Syed Saifullah had filed their nomination papers claiming to be Congress nominees, sans proper 'B'forms.

Mr Mallikarjun, son of state party treasurer Shamanur Shivashankarappa, who did not get the ticket allegedly forced Mr Saifuddin to make the correction by striking his name and including Mallikarjun's name in the 'B' form and submitted it along with the nomination papers yesterday, after a high drama.

However, the Returning Officer, during scrutiny found both the nominations of Mr Mallikarjun and Syed Saifullah were not in order and rejected them.

With this the Congress lost one Assembly seat even before the polls began.

Upset over the incident, the Congress party was contemplating to take disciplinary action against Mr Mallikarjun.

Mr Mallikarjun was denied ticket as Congress party had taken a stand not to field two candidates of a single family in the same district.

However, the nomination papers of Shamanur Shivashankarappa, father of Mr Mallikarjun, who is contesting from Davanagere South Assembly seat were found in order.

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