Nilesh Kumbhani Is 'Missing'; May Join BJP: Reports (image:twitter.com/NileshKumbhan10/)
Surat Congress leader Nilesh Kumbhani is reportedly missing and is not reachable over the phone. This comes a day after BJP candidate Mukesh Dalal was declared winner “unopposed” in Gujarat”s Surat as all of his opposing candidates were out from the electoral contest.
Nilesh Kumbhani’s nomination got rejected for discrepancies in verification of signatures of three proposers. Though the Congress nominated Suresh Padsala, substitute candidate for Surat, officials rejected his candidature on the similar grounds as well. The rest of the eight independent candidates contesting the elections from the Surat Lok Sabha seat withdrew their nomination papers, except Mukesh Dalal .
Though reasons behind Nilesh Kumbhani”s missing is still unknown, reports states that he may shift sides and likely to join BJP. As such speculations are going on, the Congress party workers are seen protesting outside Kumbhani”s residence in Surat. They put up placards that read, “janata ka gaddar (people”s traitor)” and referring him as “murderer of democracy”.
Celebrating Surat”s win, Gujarat BJP chief, CR Paatil wrote on X handle that they dedicate the victory to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
ભારતીય જનતા પાર્ટીનાં 400 પારનાં લક્ષ્યને પ્રાપ્ત કરવા માટે સુરત લોકસભાની બેઠક એ પહેલી જીત છે, આ જીત માનનીય પ્રધાનમંત્રી શ્રી @narendramodi સાહેબને અર્પણ !!! #AbkiBar400Par#PhirEkBaarModiSarkaar pic.twitter.com/gT6Inn0zHp
— C R Paatil (Modi Ka Parivar) (@CRPaatil) April 22, 2024
Meanwhile, Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh alleged ‘match fixing’ in Surat constituency. On X, he wrote, “the distress and anger faced by MSME owners and businesspeople in Modi’s Anyay Kaal has spooked the BJP so badly that they are attempting to “match-fix” Surat Lok Sabha.”
Similarly, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi responded in his X handle, “The true face of the dictator is once again in front of the country! Taking away the right of the people to choose their leader is another step towards destroying the Constitution of Baba Saheb Ambedkar.”
