The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) received a rude jolt when its Assembly candidate from Nagarjunsagar constituency withdrew his nomination under mysterious circumstances. The party leadership is learnt to have decided to expel Lavu Kranthi Kumar for failing to give a convincing reply for his action.
According to party sources, contesting the seat was crucial since Congress heavyweight K. Jana Reddy was also fighting from here and the members are also worried that such an incident may project the party in a poor light. This party had to face another demoralising situation as their candidate’s nominations for three key Assembly constituencies in the city had been rejected. The candidature of Duniyalal Tripathi Nirala from Khairatabad, Mir Mohammad Hussain from Goshamahal and Rukmini Banoth from Nampally was rejected by the respective returning officers of the constituencies.
“I have approached High Court over the matter. I went to submit my form on April 9 and to my shock the officer rejected it and did not bother to explain why it was rejected. I have worked very hard in my constituency and feel very dejected.”
Social Activist M.M. Hussain, whose candidature from Goshamahal was also rejected, said, “I had diligently filed everything in the form but I was told I was being rejected because of the proposers mentioned. I am surprised because my proposer’s or I do not have any criminal case on us. Now that I cannot do anything about it I will work for the party.”
Mr. Tripathi, planning to contest from the Khairatabad constituency, said his candidature was rejected because one of the proposers was not enrolled on the voter list.
