AAP leader Chadha files writ petition to disqualify BJP rival

‘Bidhuri did not mention FIR against him in nomination papers’

AAP leader and Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia (right) with South Delhi constituency candidate Raghav Chadha during a press conference in the Capital.

Aam Aadmi Party south Delhi candidate Raghav Chadha on Saturday filed a writ petition in the Delhi High Court urging to disqualify his BJP rival Ramesh Bidhuri as a candidate.

Though Mr. Chadha had earlier filed a complaint with the returning officer (RO) that Mr. Bidhuri had not mentioned an FIR against the latter at the time of filing his nomination, it was overruled by the RO. The Saturday’s petition challenged the RO’s order.

“The so-called Deputy Chief Minister [CM], CM and Lok Sabha candidate of AAP have, yet again today, made an attempt to mislead the people of Delhi in relation to my nomination. Let me assure the people of the constituency and the country that these allegations are baseless. They are doing this because they are scared of their impending defeat,” Mr. Bidhuri said, responding to the case.

‘Don’t waste your vote’

AAP national convener and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal urged South Delhi voters not to waste their votes on the BJP. “Charges against Mr. Bhiduri are very serious. He is sure to be disqualified. South Delhi voters should not waste their vote on him,” he tweeted.

“He has concealed an FIR pending against him in the affidavit. Concealment of a criminal case is a serious offence and I am sure his nomination will be rejected,” Mr. Chadha said.

AAP senior leader and Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia said the incident of some BJP leaders beating and abusing members of ‘Purvanchal Morcha’ from their own party had recently come to light and it exposed the strong anti-Purvanchal sentiment harboured by the BJP. “An FIR was lodged against Mr. Bidhuri in Bihar. Fearing backlash over the anti-Purvanchal face of the BJP, he purposefully did not mention the FIR in his affidavit,” Mr. Sisodia said. “Any person who is unable to furnish true details about themselves is not fit to be an MP as per the EC rules,” Mr. Sisodia added.

He said that Mr. Bidhuri tried to withhold this crucial information from his affidavit and then pressurised the EC to accept his nomination. “We are hopeful that judgment will be passed soon and his candidature will be rejected,” he added.