BELAGAVI: In a major relief for BJP’s Saundatti-Yellamma constituency candidate Ratna Mamai, the returning officer has accepted her nomination after conducting a hearing, clearing the way for her election campaign.
The lawyers for Congress candidate Vishwas Vaidya and AAP candidate Bapugouda Patil had filed objections to Ratna Mamani’s nomination alleging that she had not followed due process while her lawyers had argued that all rules were followed. Vishwas Vaidya had even alleged that Ratna had purchased a bond paper at 7.38 pm on April 20 after the time for submitting nominations had ended, and filed her affidavit.
On Saturday, lawyers for the three candidates presented their arguments before Returning Officer Dr Rajiv Kuler. After hearing all sides, the officer declared that the nomination was in order.
Later, speaking to Public TV, Ratna Mamani said, “The Opposition parties could not face me directly, so they conspired against me. With the blessings of the well-wishers and supporters of my late husband Anand Mamani, I move ahead”, she said. She later held a meeting with thousands of BJP workers and supporters.