BSP candidates file nomination in style

Cycle-rickshaw, fancy cars add colour to election campaign as Delhi’s richest candidate, meat exporter who owns a Porsche and circus owner turn up to file their papers.

Wednesday turned out to be the day of Bahujan Samaj Party candidates. Four candidates of the party filed their nominations on the day and filed them in style.

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In south, it was Kanwar Singh Tanwar (47), Delhi’s richest candidate so far. Mohammada Mustaqeem, a meat exporter, and Mohamad Yunus, who runs Apollo Circus, filed their nominations for Chandni Chowk and East Delhi seats, respectively.

Tanwar declared assets worth Rs 155.27 crore. He owns businesses ranging from real estate to pharmaceutical in Delhi and shot to fame during the last assembly polls when he declared assets worth Rs 150 crore, an unprecedented amount of disclosure by any politician in Delhi till now.

“Most politicians own much more than me, but they don’t declare their wealth. I believe in transparency. I pay Rs 6 crore in taxes alone,” he said. Tanwar fought for the first time in the assembly polls on a BSP ticket and lost. Dressed in a white kurta-pajama and accompanied by his family and aides, Tanwar arrived in a black Audi Q7 SUV (which, his affidavit says he does not own).

Mohammed Mustaqeem (47), the candidate from Chandni Chowk, has a Porsche in his fleet of cars but chose to ride a cycle to the office of Deputy Commissioner of North District. His cavalcade comprised several horses, cars, cycle rickshaws and a large number of supporters.

Mohammad Yunus (31) has at least three cases of rape, charges of robbery, illegal confinement, etc. pending against him. “I had many more cases against me which, by the grace of God, are over,” said Yunus.