Congress has been accused by the BJP for disrespecting its president Mallikarjun Kharge following a video showing the Dalit leader waiting outside the room where Priyanka Gandhi was filing her nomination papers for Wayanad by polls.
Several BJP leaders as well as Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma shared the video to accuse the Congress of spreading hatred for Dalits. However, a section of social media users responded by posting pictures of Kharge with Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi during the nomination filing process.
Priyanka Gandhi, who is contesting the Wayanad by polls following the seat was vacated by her brother Rahul Gandhi, was scheduled to reach at the district collector’s office in Kalpetta to file her nomination at 1 pm after a rally. As she was running behind schedule, Priyanka left the rally midway while Kharge was speaking. She arrived at the collector’s office at 1.24 pm with her husband, Robert Vadra, and her son.
As per Election Commission rules, the whole process of nomination filing is videographed. One proposer is enough for candidates of a recognised national or state party. Priyanka told the returning officer (RO) that the Congress president, her mother, and brother were held back in a meeting and would arrive soon. She said her husband and son would go out when they arrived.
The returning officer said they could come in during the submission of the second set of nomination papers. Priyanka submitted her first set at 1.25 pm. Sonia Gandhi arrived at the collector’s office. Soon, Kharge and Congress MP KC Venugopal arrive at the venue. However, they were not allowed to enter by the guard at the collector’s office as the returning officer was scrutinising the papers.
Robert Vadra and his son went out and Kharge entered the collector’s office during the submission of the second set of nomination papers. Rahul Gandhi was also made to wait outside till the scrutiny of the first set of nomination papers was completed. He was then called inside.
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