The scrutiny of Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s nomination papers from Amethi has been put on hold after four independent candidates raised objections on three counts: his name, nationality and educational qualifications. The returning officer of Amethi said on Saturday that Gandhi had been asked to reply to the objections by April 22 after his lawyer sought some time. Amethi goes to the polls on May 6.
The Congress has slammed the independent candidate, Dhruv Lal, for making false allegations. Senior Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi said, “Over hundred pages of objections, clearly prepared in advance, have been filed on the day of scrutiny. It raises the same 15-year-old allegation... wrong name and wrong nationality. It reflects the fear and frustration of BJP over the certain victory of Rahul Gandhi in Amethi. Hence, it is their desperate attempt for a technical knock-out on a non-existent ground.”
In his petition, Lal alleged that Gandhi furnished false information about his educational qualifications.
He claimed that Gandhi, in his election affidavit dated 03.04.2004 in Form No. 26, disclosed that he cleared the CBSE Senior Secondary examination in 1989 and M.Phil in Development Economics from Trinity College, Cambridge University, in 1995.
“…Subsequently, the candidate in his election affidavits dated 03.04.2009 and 11.04.2014 disclosed different educational qualifications...,” the petition said. Lal raised questions about Gandhi’s nationality on the basis of purported copies of a certificate of incorporation of a UK-registered company, in which Gandhi is stated to be a British national. Only Indian citizens can contest elections in the country.
{{/usCountry}}“…Subsequently, the candidate in his election affidavits dated 03.04.2009 and 11.04.2014 disclosed different educational qualifications...,” the petition said. Lal raised questions about Gandhi’s nationality on the basis of purported copies of a certificate of incorporation of a UK-registered company, in which Gandhi is stated to be a British national. Only Indian citizens can contest elections in the country.
{{/usCountry}}In Delhi, PTI quoted BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao as saying it was “stunning” that Gandhi’s lawyer had sought time to reply to the objections.
“These are serious allegations. Is Rahul Gandhi an Indian citizen or not? Did he ever become a British citizen? He should come out with the real story,” he said.