The Congress party faced a setback in Assam as Mahananda Sarkar, its candidate for the Barpeta constituency, had his nomination paper rejected during scrutiny. Election officials cited discrepancies in Form A, a crucial document required for candidates nominated by recognized political parties, as the reason for the rejection. The rejection, following a detailed hearing by the Returning Officer, was based on inconsistencies that made the nomination invalid under the Representation of the People Act and Election Commission guidelines.
The rejection of Mahananda Sarkar’s nomination effectively means that the Congress has lost a significant electoral contest in Barpeta even before polling, impacting the party’s chances in the constituency. Sources revealed that the discrepancy in Form A, which certifies a candidate as the official nominee of a political party, was identified during the verification process, leading to objections and subsequent examination by authorities. Despite arguments put forth during the hearing, the objections were upheld by the Returning Officer, resulting in the rejection of the nomination.
The Congress is yet to release an official statement on the matter, but party insiders have labeled the development as “unfortunate” and mentioned exploring legal options, potentially including approaching the Election Commission. Barpeta, known as a politically crucial constituency, is expected to witness a shift in electoral dynamics due to this rejection. This turn of events is likely to reshape the field in Barpeta, possibly benefiting rival candidates as the election date nears.
