Congress receives jolt even before polling begins

Davanagere, Apr 30(UNI) Congress in Karantaka received a jolt even before the polling began for the State Assembly, when Returning Officer, Davanagere North assembly seat which goes to poll on May 16, rejected the nomination papers of both the official as well as rebel candidates after scrutiny today.

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

The Returning officer Mr Panduranga, during the scrutiny found that District Congress President S S Mallikarjun and Syed Saifullah have filed their nomination papers claiming to be Congress nominees and sans proper 'B'forms and hence rejected.

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 nomination paper yesterday after a high drama.

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

With this the Congress lost one assembly seat even before the polling began leave about counting.

Unable to digest the incident the party is now contemplating to take diciplenery action against Mr Mallikarjun, Mr Mallikarjun was denied ticket as Congress party has made it a rule not to field two candidates of a single family in the same district.

However the nomination paper of Mr Shamanur Shivashankarappa, the father of Mr Mallikarjun, who is contesting from Davanagere South assembly seat was found in order and accepted.

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