BJP goes to EC against Almora nominee

The BJP has sought cancellation of nomination of Cong nominee Renuka Rawat alleging that she had an illegal marriage.

BJP has approached the Election Commission seeking cancellation of nomination papers of Congress nominee Renuka Rawat alleging that she had an illegal marriage with PCC President Harish Rawat after the returning officer rejected a petition in this regard.

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Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Bachi Singh Rawat is locked in a keen contest with Renuka, who is the only woman candidate fielded by Congress in Uttaranchal.

BJP and some independent candidates have demanded that nomination papers of Renuka should be cancelled because her marriage with Rawat is 'illegal' under the Hindu Marriage Act.

Bachi Singh Rawat told PTI that he has faxed relevant papers to the EC.

"Since it is a known fact here that Renuka is second wife of Rawat, hence her nomination papers should be cancelled immediately," Bachi Singh Rawat said.

Retuning Officer of Almora Chanar Ram had earlier rejected a similar demand made by Rawat and Janaki Devi, an independent candidate from Almora.

"Renuka has given name of Harish Rawat as her husband in the nominations. In Hindu Marriage Act a person cannot have two wives. Therefore nomination papers of Renuka should be cancelled," they had demanded.

"This is not a place to raise such issues. It would be proper if these candidates should take a legal recourse," Ram had said while rejecting their appel.

PCC President, however, said BJP was raising this issue because "a wave is brewing in favour of Congress in this area".