Anta by-polls: Congress nominee Pramod Jain Bhaya, independent file nominations

The Congress nominee for the November 11 Assembly by-polls on the Anta seat, Pramod Jain Bhaya, and an independent candidate filed their nominations on Wednesday, taking the total number of candidates to four so far.

Bhaya, a former minister, went to the office of the Returning Officer in an impressive rally that was attended by the entire state leadership of the grand old party.

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Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, the party state unit incharge and ex-Dy CM of Punjab Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, AICC General Secretary and former Rajasthan Dy CM Sachin Pilot, former Union Minister Bhanwar Jitendra Singh, LoP Rajasthan Tika Ram Jully and PCC president Govind Singh Dotasra spoke in the rally.

The speakers in the rally, including Gehlot and Pilot, targeted the Bhajan Lal Sharma-led BJP government for its all-around failures in providing governance and addressing or resolving people’s issues and concerns.

Seeking votes for the Congress nominee, they said that electing the BJP nominee this time would be seen as people’s endorsement of the BJP government’s work. “So, please don’t commit the mistake of 2023 by voting for that party; instead, please vote for the Congress, and strengthen the opposition’s voice,” they added.

“Your vote to Congress would also give strength to the forces which are trying to curb and prevent vote chori”, they said.

The electoral process for the lone by-election in the state began on Monday with the issuance of the election notification. Nominations can be filed by October 21, scrutiny will be conducted on October 23, and withdrawals can be made by October 27.